Fire safety advice, evacuations and PEEPs

Fire safety advice

Most domestic fires can be prevented by taking precautions.

Emergency

Know where your front door or window keys are in case you need to leave quickly.

If the fire is within your property you need to:

• keep calm and act quickly
• get everyone out as quickly as possible
• call 999
• not tackle the fire yourself
• not try retrieving your possessions or valuables

If you can't get out, get everyone into one room and put damp towels or bedding at the bottom of the door to stop smoke getting in. Open the window and shout for help. If there is smoke, keep to where the air is clearer.

If the fire is not in your property, you should stay put until help arrives. Flats are fitted with a fire door that will prevent fire and smoke from getting in.

Prevent a fire

You can keep your home safe from fire:

• Never smoke in bed
• Put cigarettes out and dispose of smoking materials safely
• Don’t use candles by curtains or furniture
• Never leave them burning when you go out
• Put candles on a level surface, away from open windows
• Avoid using chip pans
• Grilling or electric fryers are safer and healthier
• Take pans off the heat so they don’t burn or boil dry if you leave the kitchen
• Never leave small children alone in the kitchen
• Don’t store compressed gases inside your property
• Don’t overload plug sockets
• Turn electric appliances off at the wall before going to bed
• Don’t leave the TV on standby
• Don’t dry clothes on electric wall heaters
• Don’t put furniture up against heaters, radiators, or close to fires
• Close all internal doors in your home when going to bed
• Don’t leave bulk items or refuse in communal areas, riser cupboards, on balconies, or secondary escape routes

The government also provides further fire safety advice.

Fire detectors

Test your smoke alarm weekly by pressing the test button. Every month, run your vacuum over the head to remove dust.

Raise a repair your detector beeps every 30 seconds - this means the battery needs changing.

Clear communal areas

You need to ensure that all communal areas are kept clear of any items at all times. This relates to areas such as stairways and landings and includes:

• bicycles
• doormats
• prams
• pushchairs
• plants
• old furniture
• any other items
• mobility scooters

Mobility scooters have a poor safety record and have been the cause of many serious fires. If you place any items in a communal area you will be asked to remove them as this causes blockages and obstructions which could delay emergency exit by residents or entry by the emergency services.

Last updated 07 November 2025