Fire safety

How to stay safe at home: fire safety guide

We work in partnership with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and independent fire safety experts to make sure all our homes are as safe as possible for our customers.

Many people don't realise how quickly a fire can spread. That’s why it’s so important that you take all the steps you can to protect your family and your home against the threat of fire.

If a fire breaks out in your home, call 999 immediately.

There are lots of simple things you can do at home to reduce the risk of fire in your home.

Smoke alarms 

Did you know that you are four times more likely to die in a house fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm? All of our Home Group smoke alarms have a test button so give it a press at least once a week to make sure the batteries are working. It might seem small but it could mean the difference between life and death.

If there’s a problem with your smoke alarm, please call us straight away on 0345 141 4663.

Kitchen safety

Most fires start when people are in the kitchen, so please be extra careful when cooking. Even something as simple as boiling pasta can very quickly turn into a dangerous situation if you’re not careful. Always turn pan handles inwards and keep them away from children at all times. If your pan starts smoking, take it off the heat straight away and leave it to cool.

If you’re using a chip pan, never have more than one third of oil in it and never leave a chip pan alone while it’s in use.

Bedtime checks

Try to get into the habit of closing all doors in your home before you go to bed. If a fire broke out, the closed doors would help stop it from spreading. You should also switch off electrical items at night, like TVs and computers, and double check that your oven and heaters aren’t on.

Overloading sockets

Putting too many plugs in a socket could cause them to spark and start a fire. Pull out any plugs you aren’t using and regularly check your wires for any signs of damage, such as cuts or frays. 

Other dangers

Fire hazards can lurk in just about every corner of your home, so try to keep your home as safe as you can.

Candles: We recommend not using candles in your home as it only takes a second for a candle to be accidentally knocked over. But if you do use them, keep them in a candle holder, away from anything flammable and out of the reach of children or pets at all times. 

Smoking: Remember smoking in bed or on a sofa, leaving a cigarette unattended or emptying a hot ashtray can all very quickly lead to disaster too.

Balconies: Balconies are a great place to relax but it’s really important to think about the safety of yourself and others. Just because it’s outdoors doesn’t mean it’s not a fire risk so read our balcony safety leaflet.

Faulty products: Faulty products, like washing machines and tumble dryers, can cause a fire risk to you and your family. You should register your product with the manufacturer so they can keep you up-to-date with any safety information. You can also check the latest recall information on this Product Recall website.

For more information on how you can keep yourself, your family and your neighbours safe, take a look at our fire safety advice leaflet.

Like many safety features, fire doors are largely anonymous. It is likely that you walk past dozens of them every day, at home, at work and when you are out and about. Do you ever give them a second thought?

Everyone has a responsibility for keeping a close eye on the fire doors in their building. Don’t wait for someone else to do it because you could be waiting forever, and a fire door could fail when it is needed most.

The five step fire door check is a really simple check that anyone can do to ensure your fire doors are in good working order.

1. Certification

Look for a label or similar marking to show that the door is certified. All locks, latches, closures, and hinges must be CE marked and compatible with the door’s certification. Make sure that door is marked correctly with the correct signage (fire door keep shut).

2. Apertures

Ensure all glazing apertures are sealed correctly and not broken or loose in any way as this will void the certification.

3. Gaps and seals

Check the gaps around the door frame are consistent and around 3 to 4 mm. This will prevent smoke and fire from travelling through the cracks. A £1 coin works as a rough guide. Ensure seals are fitted at the top and sides of the doors and that they are not damaged. The seals will expand when in contact with fire and expand through the cracks

4. Closures

Ensure the closure shuts the door onto the latch from any position. Make sure all hinges are fitted correctly with no broken or missing screws. Doors and self-closing devices should not be tampered with.

5. Operation

Ensure the door closes correctly around all parts of the frame securely and adjusted correctly so that it is easy to use. Ensure that it is not damaged in any way and never have a fire door wedged or propped open.

Let us know if something is wrong

These steps will help highlight any issues with the fire door.

Any faults or damage to doors should be reported immediately.

Customers should also allow Home Group access to check their flat entrance doors.

If you see anything concerning, please report it online. You could potentially save lives.