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Fire Safety in your Home

Fire Safety in Your Home

Fire safety in your home is important for your safety and the safety of others in your building. Most fires can be prevented by taking simple precautions and understanding what action to take if a fire starts.

Your responsibilities

Keeping your home safe from fire is a shared responsibility. You can help by following fire safety advice, reporting concerns promptly and allowing access for essential safety checks.

Please ensure that you:

  • Allow access to NLM staff and contractors when safety checks, inspections or repairs are arranged
  • Report any fire safety concerns in your home as soon as possible
  • Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do in the event of a fire

NLM carries out a range of checks and inspections to help keep residents safe. These can include:

  • Fire alarm servicing
  • Gas safety checks
  • Electrical inspections (EICRs)
  • Flat entrance door inspections
  • Stock condition surveys to identify fire risks

Please make sure access is provided when these essential checks are due.

Helping to reduce the risk of fire in your home

Many fires in the home are caused by everyday activities such as cooking, smoking and the unsafe use of electrical items. Taking simple precautions can help reduce the risk.

To help reduce the risk:

  • Do not leave cooking unattended
  • Keep heaters away from furniture, bedding and clothing, and do not cover them
  • Do not block ventilation or air vents
  • Do not tamper with gas or electrical supplies

NLM may also carry out stock condition surveys to help identify fire risks in your home, please ensure access is provided when requested.

Electrical safety

Electrical faults can cause fires. To help keep your home safe:

  • Do not overload sockets
  • Use appliances and chargers safely and stop using them if they appear damaged
  • Turn off appliances when not in use where possible

When charging devices, use the correct charger and avoid overcharging or leaving damaged batteries or equipment plugged in.

NLM carries out Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) to ensure your home remains safe. You must provide access when these inspections are due.

Cooking safety

Cooking is one of the most common causes of fires in the home.

  • Never leave cooking unattended
  • Keep flammable items away from the hob
  • Keep cooking areas clean

Smoking

  • Do not smoke in bed or in communal areas
  • Do not leave cigarettes unattended
  • Ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and disposed of safely

Fire doors and ventilation

Fire doors and ventilation are important in helping to prevent the spread of smoke and fire.

Please make sure that:

  • Your front door is not damaged and closes properly
  • Fire doors are not wedged open or interfered with in any way

NLM carries out flat entrance door inspections to ensure they are safe and compliant. Access will be required when inspections are arranged.

You should also avoid blocking ventilation vents and report any issues to NLM.

Smoke alarms and detection

Smoke alarms provide an early warning if there is a fire in your home.

  • Do not tamper with, remove or cover alarms
  • Report any faults or warning signs, such as persistent beeping, as soon as possible after you have changed the batteries

NLM carries out regular fire alarm servicing and maintenance. Please provide access when required.

Planning what to do if there is a fire

It is important to know in advance how you would respond if a fire started in your home.

  • Know your exit routes
  • Keep escape routes clear
  • Make sure everyone in your household understands the plan

Where appropriate for relevant residents who may require assistance in an emergency, NLM may also carry out:

  • Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)
  • Person Centred Fire Risk Assessments (PCFRAs)

What to do if there is a fire

If there is a fire in your home:

  • Leave the room where the fire is, if possible, and close the door behind you
  • Alert others in your household
  • Get out if it is safe to do so and according to the evacuation policy
  • Call 999 when you are in a safe place
  • Do not go back inside until it is safe

If you live in a building with shared or communal areas, you should follow your building’s fire evacuation strategy. This will usually be either a stay put or a simultaneous evacuation procedure.

  • Stay put, or
  • Simultaneous evacuation

You should find this information on the fire safety notice in your building. If you are unsure which evacuation strategy applies, please contact NLM for further information.

After a fire

  • Inform NLM as soon as possible and report any damage