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Fire Safety

Posted on 7 Mar 2024

What to do if a fire starts

Fire can spread quickly so you need to act quickly.

  • Get out without collecting valuables or pets and close all doors behind you.
  • If your clothes catch fire, roll around.
  • Call 999 and give the operator your name and address.
  • Don’t go back into the building for anything.
  • Give the Fire Brigade information about the fire and the building.

Escaping through a window

If your escape route is blocked and a window is the only route to escape, you may need to break through glass. Only escape through a window on the ground or first floor.

  • Cover jagged glass with towels or thick bedding.
  • Throw bedding/soft materials to break your fall.
  • Lower yourself down to arm's length and drop to the ground.
  • Help the elderly or disabled people in the home.

If you can’t get out

  • If there is a room with a window, get everyone in it.
  • Close the door and seal the gap to stop smoke and fumes getting in.
  • Open the window and stay near it to alert the Fire Brigade.
  • Call the fire brigade or shout for help, so someone can call for you.

Herts Fire and Rescue provide advice on fire safety when living in a high rise flat.

Smoke alarms

If you do not have a smoke alarm in your home, get one installed as soon as possible. Call Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue on 0300 123 4046 and they will come out and install a battery alarm for free.

Only a working smoke alarm will detect a fire. It will give you early warning if a fire occurs in your home and will give you time to escape safely.

Hard-wired smoke alarms are fitted by us in some properties. They run off the mains electricity, but also have a back-up battery sealed into them so that they will still work if your electricity supply is cut off.

Hard-wired alarms

The alarm will beep when the battery runs low and needs replacing. Ring your support worker, or phone our repairs staff on 01438 242666 and someone from our repairs team will come and replace it.

If your alarm keeps going off, do not attempt to disable it yourself, please contact us. Vacuum your alarm from time to time to remove any dust from the sensors.

Battery alarms

Test your alarm at least once a week by pressing the test button. The alarm should beep when the battery runs low. If your alarm beeps, the battery is running low meaning you need to charge or replace the battery.

If your alarm keeps going off do not attempt to disable it yourself, please contact us. Never remove the battery to use it in another appliance. Vacuum your alarm from time to time to remove any dust from the sensors.