Fire safety

To reduce the risk of fire:

• make a fire action plan so everyone in your house knows how to escape
• be careful when cooking with hot oil 
• remove security grilles from doors and communal areas - they make it hard to escape and delay the fire brigade
• never park motorbikes in communal areas or inside your home
• never block, tie or wedge open fire doors in your home or building
• never leave a burning candle unattended - they are a very common cause of fires 
• never smoke in bed
• keep matches and lighters away from children
• keep clothes away from heaters
• take special care when you’re tired 
• take special care when you’ve been drinking alcohol
• do not overload electrical sockets
• never use barbeques (BBQs) on balconies
• do not smoke in the common areas of blocks including shared stairways, enclosed and partly enclosed halls, lobbies and walkways and open balconies 
• do not remove your door if it is fitted with a self closing device and if there is a problem with the door, report it 
• put out cigarettes properly
• do not overload electrical sockets
• test your smoke detectors once a month 
• do not park your vehicle over a fire hydrant or in a place which is likely to prevent easy access for a fire engine do not leave rubbish in communal areas or outside the building 
• keep your internal doors shut at night - this will help to stop a fire from spreading 
• do not store white goods, for example, fridges or washing machines in your hallway 
• do not charge electrical items in your hallway particularly while you are asleep

Never use or store:

• liquid petroleum or paraffin containers or cylinders (for example, calor gas)
• dangerous chemicals, gases or materials
• any inflammable materials or gases