Fire safety at home
Most fires at home start accidentally. That is why it is important to carry out simple safety checks that can help prevent and protect you from fire. Hackney Homes in partnership with the London Fire Brigade have listed below a few simple safety checks that you can carry out which can help to reduce the chances of a fire starting in your home and keep yourself, your family and your property safe from fire.
Keeping fire doors closed
Hackney Homes has installed communal fire doors across blocks in the borough. These ensure that fire is kept out of communal areas leaving them safe for residents to use as an escape route. Please ensure that:
- Fire doors are kept closed at all times
- Damage to the doors are reported immediately to our Housing Contact centre on 020 8356 3691
- Removing any items that are blocking the common areas which can restrict access
Get a free home fire safety visit
The London Fire Brigade can visit you at home to offer advice on how to make your home safe and where appropriate fit a smoke alarm for free. Even if you already have smoke alarms fitted, it is worth requesting a visit as the officers will talk you through escape routes in the event of a fire and how to be prepared.
To request a free visit, you can call 08000 28 44 28, log on to www.london-fire.gov.uk or e-mail: smokealarms@london-fire.gov.uk or pick up a form from your local neighbourhood housing office.
Installing and regularly testing your smoke alarm
Smoke alarms detect smoke at the earliest stages of a fire, giving you vital extra time to escape. Ensuring you have a working smoke alarm fitted is an important precaution to protect your home and family from fire.
Fit alarms on every level of your home - remember to test the batteries every week and never remove the batteries. Also remember not to put alarms in kitchens or bathrooms where smoke and steam could accidentally set them off.
If you have difficulty hearing, you can buy a smoke alarm that has a vibrating pad or a flashing light. The Royal National Institute for the Deaf can provide detailed information. London Fire Brigade can also fit specialist smoke alarms for you as part of a home fire safety visit.
For more information, you can contact the Hackney Fire Safety centre on 020 8555 1200 or check the Fire Kills website www.firekills.directgov.co.uk which has plenty of useful information.
Knowing your fire escape routes
Make sure you and those you live with know how to escape in the event of a fire. The best route is usually the normal way in and out of your home. You should ensure that:
- Your escape route is not blocked by rubbish or bulky items
- Everyone in your home knows where the keys to doors and windows are kept.
- Think of any difficulties you or the other people in your household may have.
- Plan the order that you will escape in, so that if you have to go out of a window you can help others down (ground and first floor only).
The London Fire Brigade have advised that security grills on doors and windows can delay and or stop residents evacuating when a fire breaks out in their flat or house. Leaving the affected property quickly and safely in the early stages of a fire will save lives. As such, the London Fire Brigade and Hackney Homes are advising all residents, to remove the security grills on their windows and doors
Specific advice from the London Fire Brigade
Please click on the links below for advice from the Fire Brigade