Fire safety focus: Making a difference together
Following recent, tragic events at Grenfell Tower in West London, this edition focuses on fire safety in flats. We begin with advice for residents.
Following recent, tragic events at Grenfell Tower in West London, this edition focuses on fire safety in flats. We begin with advice for residents.
As a leading managing agent, we try to minimise the risk of fire across the properties in our care, including carrying out regular Health & Safety and Fire Risk Assessments. It’s important that residents follow a few best practices and do their bit to help. Fitting approved smoke alarms is the best way to protect your home and household. Keeping internal doors shut at night in a flat – and communal areas completely clear – are also simple actions that can make all the difference.
Fit approved smoke alarms and test them weekly
The statistic is telling: people living without smoke alarms are twice as likely to die in a fire.
Smoke alarms should be on every level of your home. Fit one in your entrance hallway, as well as the landing of any upper or lower floor. For even greater protection, install an additional smoke alarm in your lounge and a heat alarm in your kitchen.
It’s critical that alarms are always working; never disconnect an alarm or take the batteries out. Mains powered detectors (that is, alarms that are not solely battery operated) should be fitted by a qualified electrician and have a standby power supply, in case of a power failure. All alarms should meet British and European standards.
Keep doors closed at night
Make sure you shut doors before heading to bed, especially to your lounge and kitchen. This simple action will help prevent a fire in your flat from spreading.
Keep communal areas clear – this may be your escape route
Never leave any belongings or rubbish in corridors, the lift lobby, stairways and other shared areas; this could prevent you and your neighbours safely escaping from the building if there’s a fire.
Welcome mats placed outside a flat or apartment may seem like a nice, friendly touch, but please think again. They’re well known to spread fire, blocking essential escape routes. It really is best not to put one down. Besides doormats, comfy chairs, books, magazines, plastic flowers and net curtains are all fire risks when placed in any communal area, including just outside a flat.
Keep communal areas clear – this may be your escape route
Never leave any belongings or rubbish in corridors, the lift lobby, stairways and other shared areas; this could prevent you and your neighbours safely escaping from the building if there’s a fire.
Plan your escape now
Don’t wait until a fire happens. Be fully prepared and make sure you keep the exit route from your flat clear, so you can leave quickly in an emergency.
