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Fire Safety in Your Home

Fire Safety

Everyone has a role to play when it comes to fire safety.

Every hour of every day there’s a house fire in Scotland.

Everybody’s home is at risk of fire.

We work in partnership with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service 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.

Fire Safety Precautions

Fire Detection 

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 properties have compliant interlinked smoke and heat detectors.

Interlinked alarms are connected so when one goes off, they all go off, alerting people wherever they are in a home. It will significantly reduce the risk of injury or death by giving people more time to escape.

It is important you make sure you have a working fire detection system in your home. You can stay in control of this by carrying out a regular test. It might seem small but it could mean the difference between life and death.

According to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, smoke alarms should be tested weekly by pressing the “test” button. 

You can do this by pushing the button on the test module installed in your home. If the alarm doesn’t sound, you should replace the battery. If it still doesn’t sound, or you suspect there is problem with your alarm, please contact us straight away.

Do not tamper with the fire detection equipment within your home at any time as you will be immediately placing yourself at increased risk in the event of a fire.

Staying Safe at Home

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

This Guide is designed to help you check your home for anything that could cause a fire and learn about the practical steps you can take to protect your home and the people who live in it.

The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service offers everyone in Scotland a free home fire safety visit. They will take you through a questionnaire and help you sort out a fire escape plan.

To book a free Home Fire Safety Visit text ‘fire’ to 61611, call 0800 0731 999 or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk

Fire Safety Doors

A fire door ensures that should a fire break out, it can be contained in a “compartment”. This keeps the fire and smoke trapped for a defined period, allowing time for people to get out and make the fire easier to tackle.

It will not fulfil this function if the fire door is damaged or propped/wedged open.

Fire Safety FAQ

Please see some frequently asked questions opposite for more information on Fire Safety in your home

In the event of a fire

Make sure everyone leaves immediately. Smoke and fumes can quickly overcome anyone.

Trying to tackle a fire or stopping to save goods could prove fatal. Remember, your main priority is to get out safely. Property can be replaced, but people cannot.

The only safe thing to do is get out the building, call 999 and ask for the Fire Service.

How to escape a fire

  1. If there’s smoke, crawl low where the air is clearer
  2. Never open a door if it’s warm to touch, there could be fire on the other side
  3. Close doors behind you as this will slow down the spread of the fire
  4. Shout to warn your family or anyone nearby, even when you get outside
  5. Always take the stairs, never use a lift
  6. Once you are out, stay out

If you can’t get out

  1. Get everyone into one room (grab a mobile phone if you can and dial 999)
  2. When everyone is in the room, pack clothes, cushions, pillows or towels around the door to keep smoke out
  3. Open a window and shout for help until someone calls 999 for the Fire Service
  4. Stay at the open window for clean air and so firefighters can see you

Click here to read more advice from Fire Scotland. 

Important

Retirement and Very Sheltered schemes (where there is a Warden Call System) follow a “Stay Put” method where tenants are safer to stay inside their property, unless the fire is in their home.  Click here for more information on the “Stay Put” procedure.

The safety of all our customers is incredibly important to us and we’ll keep you updated about all fire safety measures on our website, social media or through our Neighbourhood Officers and Scheme staff, if we need to speak to you directly.

Stay up-to-date by visiting the Government’s:

If you do have any concerns please contact us.

Tenants are responsible for carrying out regular alarm tests.

According to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, fire detection equipment should be tested weekly by pressing the “test” button. If the alarm doesn’t sound, you should replace the battery.

If it still doesn’t sound, or you suspect there is problem with your alarm, please  contact us straight away.

Do not attempt to tamper with fire detection equipment at any time as you will be immediately placing yourself at increased risk in the event of a fire.

The Retirement Scheme Manager or Very Sheltered Scheme Manager is responsible for carrying out fire alarm testing on a weekly basis. Fire alarm tests take place at the same time and day each week with the building occupied under normal conditions. All other alarms should be treated as an emergency.

We fit smoke alarms in all our homes. If you think your smoke alarm is faulty or might need replacing, please contact us straight away.