Home safety

If you live in a house or bungalow and you experience a fire, you need to act quickly. Make sure you are prepared and follow these simple steps:

• Plan your escape and make sure everyone knows the routine.
• Keep your exit routes clear so you can escape easily.
• If doors and windows can be locked, make sure keys are easily accessible.
• Don’t tackle the fire yourself.
• Get out if it is safe to do so and leave your possessions behind.
• Close the doors behind you.
• Keep low – smoke rises and the air at a low level will be clearer.
• Dial 999 to report the fire.
• Stay out of your building until the Fire Brigade says it is safe to return.
• If your escape route is blocked, head to a room with a window, close the door and use blankets or bedding to stop smoke getting under the door, and call 999 or, if you haven’t got a phone, shout out of the window.

If you live in an apartment, or a building with more than one home and shared, communal spaces, please follow the instructions on the Fire Action Notices at the main entrance and exit to your building.

Most people know the basics of fire safety at home, such as not leaving cooking appliances unattended. However, here are a few more things you can do around the home to prevent a fire.

In the kitchen

• Don’t leave pans unattended.
• Take care if wearing loose clothing.
• Keep the oven, hob and cooker clean and free from grease.
• Once you have finished, check that appliances are turned off.
• Avoid leaving children alone in the kitchen.
• Don’t cook if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Remember to close your kitchen door at night when you go to bed or if you are leaving your home.

Electrics

• Make sure electrical appliances are kept in good working order and do not use them if there are any signs of damage or loose wiring.
• Unplug appliances before going to bed or when you are not using them.
• When changing a fuse, make sure you use the right one to prevent overheating.
• Don’t overload sockets, avoid the use of electrical extension leads where possible and always make sure that they are to the correct British Standard.
• Keep portable heaters clear from flammable materials – don’t dry clothes over them
• Turn off electrical appliances before bed.

Smoking

We do not encourage smoking in any homes and smoking is not permitted in any communal areas of our buildings. If you choose to smoke, please:

• Never smoke in bed.
• Make sure cigarettes and other smoking materials are fully out before disposing of them.
• Always use an ashtray and put it on a non-flammable surface at night.
• Don’t leave lit cigarettes unattended.
• Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
• Fill lighters outside.

E-bikes and E-scooters: Battery safety

Lithium-ion batteries, like the ones used in E-scooters and E-bikes, are responsible for a rising number of fires within homes. In the space of just two years, the number of fires linked to battery devices has risen by more than 400%.

Please remember to:

• Only buy vehicles, chargers, batteries and conversion kits from reputable retailers.
• Register your product with the manufacturer to validate any warranties.
• Never store e-bikes or e-scooters in communal areas of your building.
• Only store e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries in a cool place.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and unplug your charger when it’s finished.
• Always follow best practice for charging devices.
• Look out for any damage or normal wear & tear.
• Always dispose of batteries and devices responsibly.

There are a number of fire doors in your building, both your own front door and those in communal areas. These are there for your safety and inspected on a routine basis.

Communal fire doors

• All communal fire doors must remain in good condition to protect people and property.
• A closing device is installed on communal fire doors and must not be disconnected at any time.
• Communal Fire Doors may be held open by electronic devices and must not be interfered with. These fire doors will automatically close if the fire alarm is activated.
• Fire doors must not be damaged, removed or obstructed in any way.
• Fire doors MUST NOT be wedged open at any time.

Your front door

• Keep your door in good condition, closing automatically, and report any issues immediately.
• Do not drill or screw anything to the door, including:
  • doorbells
  • nails for decorations
  • cables
  • handles or door knockers
• Never disconnect your door’s self-closing device.

Our responsibilities

• Carry out Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) in all our buildings, to highlight any fire risks.
• Hold regular communal area inspections to ensure that escape routes are free from obstructions and that no unauthorised items are being stored.
• Make sure that a suitable fire detection and alarm system is fitted and regularly tested.
• Employ contractors to carry out regular gas, electrical and fire safety system checks in your home.
• Provide Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for all customers who might struggle to evacuate the building independently in an emergency.
• Help to arrange a home fire safety visit from your local Fire and Rescue Service.
• Ensure fire doors and house entrance doors are effective fire and smoke barriers.

Your responsibilities

• Never leave any items in communal areas of your building.
• Do not interfere with any fire doors, equipment or signage in the building.
• Keep corridors, landings, foyers and stairways completely clear at all times.
• Keep all meter and alarm panels accessible at all times.

Any items or obstructions found in communal areas of your building will be removed.

If there is no immediate risk, or the item(s) might have value, we will give notice of our intention to remove the item(s). Onward will not be liable for any damage to the item during disposal. Owners of any obstructions will be responsible for the cost of disposal.

If you have a balcony:

• Do not use barbecues on your balcony under any circumstances.
• Never store fuels or flammable materials on your balcony.
• Try to keep any items on the balcony to a minimum.
• If you smoke, make sure you stub cigarettes out and NEVER flick them off your balcony.

• Wear your seatbelt. Granted, you’re not reaching great speeds on a stairlift, but wearing a seatbelt or harness is still very important. Just a slight loss of balance could result in a dangerous fall.
• Take care when getting on and off the lift. This may seem obvious, but just like with many everyday activities, it’s easy to get into bad habits. Getting off a lift, especially at the top of the stairs can be quite dangerous, especially for someone with compromised balance. Consider taking advantage of features such as an extended rail or a swivel seat to mitigate these risks.
• Do not overload the unit. It might be tempting to try to carry objects (or people) with you on the stairlift. However, not only will this represent a hazard, but you could also end up overloading the unit by putting too much weight on it.
• Ensure children can’t operate the lift. If you have young children in the home often, it’s a good idea to disable the operation of the lift when not in use by the user.
• Fold up your chair when not in use. Most chairs come with fold up seats, armrests, and footrests. Aside from making it easier to get around, it also makes things safer as you don’t have large tripping hazards. This is especially important if there are small children, others with mobility issues, or anyone with a sight impairment.

• Call us on 0300 555 0600 and seek guidance, or if you have an extended warranty agreement with the installer, you can contact them directly.
• Do not use, or allow anyone else to use the equipment until it has been checked by a professional.

• An inspection record containing details of any defect identified and remedial action needed will be submitted to Onward. We will ensure that any safety defect identified is rectified before the equipment is used again.
• It is an offence to use, or allow to use of, a lift or item of lifting equipment that has been quarantined or taken out of service for safety reasons, until the fault has been rectified.

• As your landlord, it is our legal duty to carry out an insurance inspection every six months (LOLER) we also carry out six-monthly servicing regimes to ensure that health and safety conditions are maintained and that any deterioration can be detected and remedied in good time.
• Our contractors will make sure that in your equipment is in a safe condition.
• We are not responsible for equipment that you have bought for yourself, and before making any such purchases this should be agreed by us as your landlord.
• In accordance with your tenancy agreement, you must allow us access to carry out checks to ensure your safety. If reasonable access is not provided, it will be necessary for us to take action.

• We will contact to you before your insurance inspection (LOLER) or servicing is due.
• Please allow our engineers into your home to carry out your safety inspection.
• Always keep your appointments with our contractors.

If your insurance/servicing appointment is not convenient, call us to arrange an alternative date. For any questions about safety in your home, or to find out when your inspection is due, call us on 0300 555 0600.