Fires in the home are the main cause of fire deaths.

General advice

You can have a free smoke alarm fitted by the London Fire Brigade by completing this smoke alarm form and emailing it to the Health & Safety Team via customercare@opendoorhomes.org or by post to Health & Safety Team, Opendoor Homes, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 4EW (please do not attend the office in person).

Test your alarm regularly to check it is working.

Communal staircases, corridors and balconies must be kept clear of items like large plant pots, prams and bicycles.

For more information about keeping communal areas safe, click here to download our leaflet.

These will get in the way of people evacuating the building in the event of fire and could also fuel a fire.

Please contact us if you see damaged or open fire doors, or items stored in shared hallways and electric intake cupboards.

Fire safety advice – your home

The Fire Brigade gives this safety advice, which could save your life, and the lives of your loved ones and neighbours.

  • Fit smoke alarms and check they are an approved standard
  • Don’t smoke in bed
  • Keep matches safe
  • Don’t sit too close to a fire
  • Don’t overload electrical sockets
  • Check everything is safe before you go to bed
  • Switch off electric blankets when in bed
  • Have electric blankets checked regularly
  • Don’t overfill pans and deep fat fryers
  • If the oil catches fire – turn off the heat

Tenants who want to carry out any alterations at home must get consent from Opendoor Homes beforehand.

Escaping from fire

  • Know your fire plan. Visit http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/know-the-plan.asp for advice from the London Fire Brigade.
  • Keep keys to window locks by the windows, though make sure they are not on display
  • Get everyone out as soon as possible
  • Dial 999
  • Crawl under smoke and fumes
  • Block gaps around doors if trapped by fire

If you live in a flat or maisonette

Please follow this extra advice.

Flats and maisonettes are built to give you some protection from fire. Walls, floors and doors will hold back flames and smoke for a time.

  • If there is a fire elsewhere in the building, you are usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.
  • If there is a fire in your flat, leave the building closing the door to your flat behind you.
  • If there is a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor where the air will be clearer.
  • Do not use any lifts in a fire, go down the stairs instead.
  • Call 999 from any phone. Give them the address, including the number of your flat, and tell them which fire the floor is on.

Fire safety videos

Opendoor Homes has been working in conjunction with the London Fire Brigade to create a series of fire safety awareness videos for residents.

How to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

 

Fire safety in high-rise buildings 

 

Fire safety in low and medium rise buildings 

 

Fire safety at home 

 

Feel free to share these films with family and friends, and please contact us if you would like to request a DVD copy.

We hope you enjoy the videos!