- Don't overload plug sockets - An extension lead or adaptor will have a limit to how many amps it can take so, to help reduce the risk of fire, be careful not to overload them.
Fire Safety: Tips and Guidelines to Stay Safe and Prevent Fires
Being prepared and knowing the correct safety measures can save lives. We created this page to share simple checklists, electrical safety tips, and evacuation plans.
Bedtime Checklist
You are more at risk of having a fire when asleep so it’s a good idea to check your home before you go to bed.
Electrical Safety Tips
Electricity is one of the main causes of fire in the home each year. These can through electrical faults, misuse of electrical equipment or accidents.
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Regularly check for frayed or worn cables and wires - Check to see if the cable is fastened securely to the plug and check the socket for scorch marks. You should always carry out these checks before you plug an appliance in.
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Unplug appliances when not in use - This helps to reduce the risk of fire. Unplug appliances when you go to bed or when you go out unless they are designed to be left on, like fridges and freezers.
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Keep electrical appliances clean and in good working order - Look out for fuses that blow, circuit-breakers that trip for no obvious reason and flickering lights to prevent them triggering a fire.
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Check for British or European safety mark - Make sure an appliance has a British or European safety mark when you buy it.
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Always check that you use the right fuse to prevent overloading - When you're fitting or replacing a fuse, it's important to use the right fuse for the appliance to make sure the cable doesn't overheat and that the appliance is protected in the event of a fault.
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Charging devices - Don't leave devices charging for long periods and make sure that you are using the correct chargers. If you are using laptops, don’t put them on soft furnishings, beds and duvets as this increases the chance of them overheating and catching fire.
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Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999 - Never use water on an electrical fire and don't take any risks with your safety. Pull the plug out or switch the power off if it is safe to do so. Get out, stay out and call 999.
Smoke and CO alarms save lives
Your smoke alarms and CO alarms need regular maintenance:
If your smoke alarm or CO alarm is making an intermittent bleeping/chirping noise, please follow these steps:
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Check that your alarm is definitely the source of the bleeping/chirping;
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Clean the alarm as per the instructions above.
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Test the alarm by pressing the 'test' button.
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Change the battery (unless it's a ten-year alarm).
If the smoke or CO alarm fails to operate or continues to chirp/bleep, please contact Peaks and Plain Housing Trust 0800 012 1311 or email trust@peaksplains.org
Fire Evacuation Strategy
Fire Evacuation Strategy
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If there is a fire inside your apartment or flat, then you should alert all the people staying there and leave the property closing all the doors behind you. If there is a lot of smoke within the apartment or flat then you should crawl along the floor where the air should be clearer and the temperature cooler. You should leave using the stairs rather than the lift and dial 999 or 112 to call the Fire and Rescue Service as soon as you are in a safe place, giving them the correct address of the where the fire is.
Other residents are safe to stay in their apartments and should not evacuate unless instructed to do by the Fire and Rescue Service.
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If the fire occurs in the communal areas, anyone in these areas should make their way out of the building and dial 999 or 112 to call the Fire and Rescue Service, giving them the correct address and location of the fire. All other residents should stay in their homes unless directed by the Fire and Rescue Service to evacuate.
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Those not directly involved who wish to leave the building may do so if they feel threatened.
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Any resident who may need assistance to evacuate in the event of a fire should let Peaks and Plains Housing Trust know by calling Peaks and Plains on on 0800 012 1311 or email staysafe@peaksplains.org. This information will be stored securely on site and made available for the Fire and Rescue Service in the event of a fire.