Fire safety in your home PDF (479KB)
Fire safety
It's important to us that you know exactly what to do in the case of a fire. Here's everything you need to know.
You must report all fires to the fire service on 999.
You'll also need to contact us on 0800 012 1311 to report any damage to your property and to arrange an electrical check.
Watch this short video on fire safety in your home:
Are you aware Cheshire Fire Service offer a free home safety check? For more information go to: Cheshire Fire
Fire safety procedures for your home
We have a variety of different property types this means that we have various fire action plans in place and depending on which type of property you live in you need to make sure you understand what you need to do if there is a fire in your home.
Range and Pennine are high rise buildings designed with only one emergency stairwell. Large scale evacuation of 200 people from these buildings would result in injury if everyone used the stairwell at the same time. This would also hinder the Fire Service’s response to the fire as they would have to deal with everyone leaving the building rather than fighting the fire.
Due to the design and fire resistant capabilities of these buildings a “Stay Put” procedure has been implemented by the Trust along with the Fire Service to allow a quick response to fires. This means that unless the fire is in your flat or you are in danger of smoke and fire it is better to remain in your flat.
If the fire service feel on arrival that evacuation is necessary they will arrange a simultaneous evacuation and you will be asked to leave your home by the fire service, this is a safer way to get people out of the building without injury.
REMEMBER: If you feel at risk you can leave the building at any time or if you are unable to leave your flat and concerned that you are at risk by smoke or fire you can call 999 and speak to the fire service. Your internal doors on your kitchen, lounge and bedrooms are also fire doors and when closed provide extra protection in your flat. Make sure you and your family know what to do in a fire and how to follow the procedures safely.
What to do if the fire alarm sounds
- Alert everyone in your flat.
- Before opening doors, check them with the back of your hand. If they're warm, don't open them - the fire may be on the other side.
- Do not evacuate unless the fire is in your flat or you are directed to do so by the emergency service or Trust staff
If you are asked to evacuate
- Don't use the lift.
- If there's a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor where the air will be cleanest.
- If the fire is blocking your exit, or if the stairs in your block of flats are blocked by fire or smoke, stay calm and go back inside your flat and wait for the Fire and Rescue Service to arrive.
If the fire is outside your flat and your escape route is blocked
- Seal your front door with tape if you can, as well as cushions and bedding, to stop smoke getting in.
- Close any ventilators.
- Phone 999, giving your address and number of your flat.
- Get everyone into the safe room you have chosen.
- Open the window. If you feel in serious danger, wave a sheet out of the window so the fire fighters know where you are.
If the fire is inside your flat
- If your escape route from the flat is clear, evacuate closing doors behind you, then ring 999 and give your address and number of your flat.
If your escape route is blocked.
- Get everyone into the safe room you have chosen.
- Put cushions, bedding and so on at the bottom of the door to stop smoke getting in.
- Phone 999, giving your address and the number of your flat.
- Open the window. If you feel in serious danger, wave a sheet out of the window so the fire fighters know where you are.
If at anytime you feel you are in danger of smoke or heat please evacuate the building.
- Leave the room where the fire is straight away, then close the door.
- Tell everyone in your home there is a fire and get them to leave.
- Do not stay behind to try and put the fire out.
- Call the fire service on 999 or 112.
- Wait outside, away from the building.
- Do not go back into the building unless the Fire Service have told you it is safe to do so.
IF FIRE BREAKS OUT IN YOUR FLAT:
- Leave the room where the fire is straight away, and then close the door.
- Tell everyone in your flat and get them to leave.
- Close the flat entrance door behind you.
- Do not stay behind to put the fire out.
- Wait outside away from the building.
- Call the fire service – dial 999 or 112
IF YOU SEE OR HEAR OF A FIRE IN ANOTHER PART OF THE BUILDING:
- The building has been designed to contain a fire in the flat where it starts.
- This means that it will usually be safe for you to stay in your own flat if the fire is elsewhere.
- You must leave immediately if smoke or heat affects your home, or if you are told to leave by the Fire Service.
- If in doubt – get out.
TO CALL THE FIRE SERVICE:
- Dial 999 or 112
- When the operator answers, give your telephone number and ask for Fire.
- When the Fire Service answer give the address where the fire is.
- If safe to do so do not end the call until the Fire Service has repeated the address correctly.
Do not
- Stop to collect personal belongings
- Use the lift
- Reenter the building unless instructed to by the fire officers
IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE:
- Operate the nearest fire point.
- Leave the building immediately by the nearest exit route.
- Do not stay behind to put the fire out.
- Wait outside away from the building.
- Call the fire service – dial 999 or 112
WHAT TO DO IF THE FIRE ALARM SOUNDS:
- Alert everyone in your flat.
- Before opening doors, check them with the back of your hand. If they're warm, don't open them - the fire may be on the other side.
- If it is safe to do so leave the building immediately.
- Do not stay behind to put the fire out.
- Wait outside away from the building.
- Call the fire service – dial 999 or 112
IF THE FIRE IS OUTSIDE YOUR FLAT AND ESCAPE ROUTES ARE BLOCKED:
- Stay in your flat seal your front door with tape if you can, as well as cushions and bedding, to stop smoke getting in.
- Close any ventilators.
- Phone 999 or 112, giving your address and number of your flat.
- Get everyone into the safe room you have chosen.
- Open the window. If you feel in serious danger, wave a sheet out of the window so the fire fighters know where you are.
TO CALL THE FIRE SERVICE:
- Dial 999 or 112
- When the operator answers, give your telephone number and ask for Fire.
- When the Fire Service answer give the address where the fire is.
- If safe to do so do not end the call until the Fire Service has repeated the address correctly.
Do not
- Stop to collect personal belongings
- Use the lift
- Re-enter the building unless instructed by the fire officer
ON HEARING THE FIRE ALARM AND YOU ARE IN YOUR FLAT:
- Stay in your flat until help arrives. The building is designed to withstand the spread of fire from one flat to another.
- Should the need to evacuate arise please follow the instruction of the Fire officer or a member of staff.
IF THERE IS A FIRE IN YOUR FLAT:
- Leave the room where the fire is straight away, and then close the door.
- Tell everyone in the flat and get them to leave. Close the flat entrance door behind you.
- Make your way outside, stand a safe distance away from the building, and await the arrival of the Fire Service.
- If you are unable to leave your flat unaided and need urgent assistance call 999 immediately.
IF YOU SEE OR HEAR OF A FIRE IN ANOTHER PART OF THE BUILDING:
- Raise the alarm by pushing a fire alarm call point.
- The building is designed to contain the fire in the flat where it starts.
- This means that this will be safe for you to stay in your flat.
- You must leave immediately if smoke or heat affects your home or you are told to do so by the Fire Service or a member of staff.
Do not
- Stop to collect personal belongings
- Use the lift
- Re-enter the building unless instructed by the fire officer
If you'd like more information on fire safety in communal areas or to report a fire hazard go to: Fire safety in communal areas
