Fire safety advice

Our residents have access and use of balconies. They are legally managed by the landlord under the Fire Safety Act 2021, but we ask that you get familiar with our rules to help keep yourself, your family, and neighbours safe.

If you have any questions, please ask your housing rep or get in touch.

Single-access balconies

These are balconies connected to your home, used by yourself and your family.

Please do not install or use:

• privacy screening, unless you can provide proof that it’s made of fire-rated material
• fencing, paneling, screening, or flooring, like Astroturf or wicker
• sheds, fencing, or heavy structures
• barbeques
• electrical appliances
• gas cylinders or patio heaters
• excessive amounts of highly combustible material
• flammable products and liquids
• ignition sources.

Please also remember that:

• plant pots must be secured
• smoking in open areas is allowed but you should use ash trays and extinguish cigarettes responsible to reduce the risk of fire
• cigarettes must never be thrown off balconies.

Open-access balconies

These are balconies facing the open walkway to your home, used by yourself, your family, and neighbours.

Please remember that:

• these must be always kept clean and clear to allow for safe evacuation and easy access if needed by the emergency services
• doormats are allowed
• no fixings, gates, or doors of any kind are allowed
• smoking in open areas is allowed but you should use ash trays and extinguish cigarettes responsible to reduce the risk of fire
• cigarettes must never be thrown off balconies.

To help you to ensure your BBQ is managed safely and the risk of fire is reduced, we’ve put together a series of fire safety tips. The list of precautions applies to all types of BBQ. None of these are intended to spoil your fun; following this guidance will help keep everyone, and the surrounding area, safe from fire.

My BBQ guidance [PDF]

You should have a carbon monoxide detector in each room of your home that has a combustible appliance, such as a gas boiler or coal fire. This does not include cookers if it's the only combustible appliance in the room. We suggest testing your detectors on a monthly basis. If yours is not working please visit our gas safety advice page. Or contact your local gas contractor.

• Don’t leave lit candles, matches or cigarettes unattended.
• Keep burning candles or lit cigarettes away from children.
• Don’t put candles or cigarettes on or near your TV.
• Keep candles or cigarettes away from curtains and fabrics.
• Extinguish candles, matches and cigarettes before leaving a room or going to sleep.
• Go outside to smoke.
• Don’t smoke in bed.

E-cigarette and vape safety

• Only use the chargers that came with the device.
• Never charge e-cigarettes or vapes overnight or leave them unattended while charging.
• Don’t leave items continuously on charge. After the charge cycle is complete switch them off.
• Do not cover batteries that are on charge, in case of overheating.
• Never store batteries in extreme temperatures and keep them out of direct sunlight.
• Avoid storing, using, or charging batteries in extremely high or low temperatures.
• Protect batteries against being damaged, crushed, or punctured and don’t immerse them in water.
• Never let your battery come into contact with metal items, such as coins or keys in a pocket or bag, as this can cause a short circuit and explosion.
• Note: lithium-ion batteries are safe during normal use, but are a fire risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water, or damaged. They can be extremely dangerous when thrown away with general rubbish as they are hazardous waste. You must dispose of them at a recycling center.

• Never leave your cooker unattended when in use.
• Keep your hob, oven and grill clean – build-ups of fat and grease are a major fire risk.
• Keep flammable items like tea towels and other fabrics away from your cooker
• Don’t store objects on top of microwaves as this can block ventilation.

General E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety Tips

• Never store e-bikes or e-scooters in communal areas.
• Never block escape routes within your home.
• Consider adding extra smoke alarms in areas where e-bikes or e-scooters are being stored and charged.

Charging Your E-Bike or E-Scooter

• Don’t leave batteries constantly on charge.
• Unplug your charger once it has finished charging.
• Batteries will warm up, so allow time for them to cool down before recharging or they could be more likely to catch on fire.
• Batteries can malfunction when damaged. To avoid this risk, handle them with care while in use.
• It’s important to use the correct charger for your product. Always buy official parts and chargers from reputable sellers.
• Avoid charging the battery when it is unattended or when you are sleeping. Note: lithium-ion batteries are safe during normal use, but are a fire risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water, or damaged. They can be extremely dangerous when thrown away with general rubbish as they are hazardous waste. You must dispose of them at a recycling center.

• Don’t cover heaters or dry clothes on them.
• If possible, secure your heater against a wall so it can’t fall over.
• Position heaters away from flammable bedding, curtains and furniture.
• Don’t leave your heater unattended or fall asleep with it on.
• Don’t leave children or pets unattended where heaters are switched on.
• Don’t power heaters from an extension lead.

Convection heaters

My Portable Convection heaters guidance [PDFs]

• Switch off electrical appliances when not in use.
• Check appliances, cables and plugs to make sure everything is in working order.
• Don’t overload sockets with too many electrical appliances. 
• Use the correct type and wattage of bulb for light fittings.

A list of fire safety tips for smokers is available to download.

Lithium-ion batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that can be used for anything from mobile phones and laptops to e-scooters and electric vehicles.

My Guidance on how to dispose of Lithium-ion batteries safety [PDFs]

If you have one that you no longer need, you must dispose of it safely and responsibly. Here are some ways to do that:

Don't expose them to heat

Keep lithium batteries away from heat sources and direct sunlight, especially when disposing of them.

Don't mix them with other batteries

Never mix lithium batteries with other types of batteries – always keep them separate.

Don't put them in your rubbish

Lithium batteries can cause fires or chemical burns if they're broken or leaking, so never put them in your general rubbish or recycling bins.

Put them in a plastic bag

If you're taking lithium batteries to a recycling bin, wrap them in a plastic bag to stop them from mixing with other batteries.

Return them to the manufacturer

In some cases, it is possible to return the batteries to the manufacturer. Further details of this should be labelled on your specific product.

Take them to designated collection points

You can take lithium batteries to specially signposted collection points, including some supermarkets or other large shops. You can also take them to a battery bank that accepts lithium-ion batteries.

Tape the terminals

Before taking lithium batteries to a collection point, tape up the terminals to reduce the risk of fire.

Use a battery compliance scheme

A battery compliance scheme will collect your batteries for free.

Find a local battery compliance scheme

Use a licensed waste carrier

You can arrange for a licensed waste carrier near you to collect your lithium batteries.

Find a licensed waste carrier

Use a recycling centre

You should always take lithium batteries to a recycling centre that accepts them.

Find your nearest recycling centre

• Mobility scooters can be a fire risk when charging, so don’t leave it on constant charge.
• Don’t charge your mobility scooter overnight.
• Don’t store your mobility scooter in a communal or common area of a property.
• Don’t store your mobility scooter in your flat where it can block your escape route.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and only use chargers and batteries recommended for your particular model.

If you want to discuss the fire risks associated with mobility scooters, please contact your Housing Officer.

You’re not allowed to keep or store anything in communal areas. Keep communal areas clear of rubbish and personal items, so you can escape quickly and safely in the event of a fire or emergency. Things left in communal areas can also help to spread a fire.

If you see rubbish or personal items in communal areas, please phone our customer services team on 0300 500 8000.

My Fire Safety in Gardens (Single or Communal) [PDF]

My fire safety in communal areas [PDF]

Security gates and grills

Don’t fit security gates or grills to your front door, as in the event of a fire they can increase the risk to your family by stopping you getting out of the property quickly. They can also significantly delay the Fire Brigade from fighting a fire and rescuing you and your family.

Gates and grills may also stop other residents from being able to escape. If you have serious concerns about your security, please speak with your Housing Officer or the Police and we will work together to look for solutions that don't pose a risk to you.

Make sure door-closers work properly, fully shutting the door without assistance. If there’s a problem with a door-closer, or a door doesn’t fit the frame properly and leaves a gap, please contact us.

Don’t take the batteries out of your detector: If it goes off accidentally you may need to open the window to ventilate, however you can silence it by pressing the test button for 3-5 seconds.

Check your smoke detector weekly by pressing the test button for 3-5 seconds (if you cannot reach you can use a wooden spoon or broom handle). If your detector does not sound it may just be a battery that needs to be changed.

If your detector is still not working or if your detectors are missing (you should have one on every floor of your home) please contact us we will aim to get you an appointment within 24 hours.