We’re committed to keeping you safe – and that means working together to reduce fire risks in your home and building.
Keeping you safe in your home
By taking a few easy precautions, you can reduce fire risks and keep your home safe and comfortable.
You should never play with fire or burn rubbish at home or in the garden. It’s dangerous and can quickly get out of control.
- Keep candles away from curtains and flammable materials
- Never leave lit candles unattended
- Keep them out of reach of children and pets
- Always extinguish candles before leaving the room
Over half of accidental home fires start in the kitchen. Common causes include:
- pans left unattended
- tea towels or paper near the hob
- grease build-up in ovens
Stay alert while cooking and keep flammable items away from heat sources.
If you smoke, please do so responsibly:
- smoke outside if possible
- stub out cigarettes fully
- dispose of them safely
Quitting is the safest option, but we understand it’s not easy – we’re here to support you.
Most e-bikes and e-scooters use lithium-ion batteries, which can be a fire risk if not charged or stored properly.
Charging safely
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Use the correct charger
- Charge while you’re awake and alert
- Don’t cover chargers or battery packs
- Keep away from flammable materials
- Don’t overcharge or use damaged cables
- Never charge near escape routes or in communal areas
If a fire starts, don’t try to put it out – get out, stay out, and call 999.
Storage tips
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Keep away from escape routes
- Check batteries regularly for damage
- Follow manufacturer guidance for long-term storage
- Don’t dispose of batteries in household waste – use proper recycling services
Please help keep shared spaces safe by:
- not smoking or vaping in corridors or stairways
- disposing of cigarettes safely
- keeping communal areas clear.
If you’re using a barbecue:
- never leave it unattended
- keep it away from sheds and fences
- never use petrol or paraffin
Please keep your home and communal areas free from clutter. Items like furniture, carpets, curtains, and mobility scooters can block escape routes and increase fire risk.
Materials such as paper, cardboard, clothing and electrical items, can fuel a fire and cause it to spread quickly.
Make sure you and your family know how to leave your home safely in an emergency. Keep escape routes clear and free from trip hazards.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
We check hard-wired alarms during electrical safety visits, but we recommend you test them regularly too.
Set a weekly reminder to check your alarms. If they’re not working properly, report it straight away. Alarms save lives by giving you time to escape and call 999.
Fire doors
Fire doors are designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke – giving people time to escape safely. They’re a vital part of your building’s fire protection.
Our joinery specialists inspect flat doors and communal fire doors to make sure they meet safety standards.
If you live in a flat:
- don’t remove or adjust the door closer
- never leave a fire door open
- report any faults immediately – doors should close fully at all times
Contact the Building Safety Team to report a fault.
Keeping shared spaces safe
Everyone has a role to play in keeping communal areas safe and clear. Items left in corridors, staircases or landings can block escape routes or increase fire risk.
Please keep these areas free from:
- pictures or decorations (check with us if you live in extra care or sheltered housing)
- doormats, plants, ornaments or ramps
- furniture
- clothing
- mobility scooters or bikes
- rubbish or unwanted items
- personal items like wheelchairs or shopping trolleys.
If items aren’t removed within the time we’ve agreed, we may need to remove them to keep everyone safe.
Special considerations
In care and support buildings, we sometimes allow small items outside flat doors to help customers with dementia or Alzheimer’s find their homes more easily. Our team will work with you to make sure these are safe and appropriate.
We also follow up on any maintenance issues that could affect fire safety.
Sprinkler systems in high-rise homes
Some homes have sprinkler systems to add an extra layer of fire protection. These systems activate when heat reaches a high temperature near the sprinkler head.
Only the sprinkler closest to the heat will activate – not all at once.
Preventing damage to sprinkler systems
Sprinklers can be accidentally triggered by heat from decorating tools like steam strippers or warm air paint strippers. Please avoid using these near sprinkler heads.
If the plastic cap is loose or missing, or if the sprinkler leaks:
- call 0300 111 1000 immediately
- let us know there’s no fire to avoid unnecessary callouts
- move electrical items out of the way and turn them off
- try to catch the water with a cloth and bucket if safe to do so
- keep an eye out for our team so they can access your home quickly
We’ll replace damaged sprinkler heads as soon as possible. Your flat will be isolated until it’s fixed, but don’t worry – other fire detection systems will still be active.
If you have any questions or concerns, our Building Safety Team and Building Support Team are here to help.
Fire risk assessments
We carry out regular fire risk assessments in all buildings with communal spaces, including high-rise and complex buildings. These checks help us spot hazards and make improvements.
If you have concerns about fire safety or would like a copy of your building’s fire risk assessment, please contact our Building Safety Team on 0300 111 1000.
Read our fire risk assessments for our high rise buildings.
Building safety customer engagement calendar
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
February |
||
| Wednesday 18 February | 10am – 11am | Hume House |
| Thursday 19 February | 10am – 11am | Nolan House |
March |
||
| Wednesday 4 March | 10.30am – 11.30am | Welton House |
| Wednesday 18 March | 1.30pm – 2.30pm | Glastonbury House |
| Thursday 19 March | 10.30am – 11.30am | Mascot House |
Get in touch
For more information or to report an issue, contact our building safety team.