RESIDENTS FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION PACK

MARIE CURIE SCEAUX GARDENS ESTATE

LONDON SE5 7DG

THE CONTENTS OF YOUR PACK Section Page

No.

1. 3. Introduction

Here we will explain the purpose of the Fire Safety Information Pack and why it is important that you read the contents.

2. 4. Your Escape Routes We have provided specific information on how to make your way out of your home and block to a place of safety away from the building.

3. 8. Your Block & Your Home – Marie Curie We have provided information within this section of the Fire Safety measures that you can find within your block and within your home.

4. 5.

18. 20.

Advice on what to do and what not to do No information pack would be complete without a Do’s and Don’ts section. We have given some examples of potentially harmful practices that are common in a lot of blocks. General Fire safety advice This section gives you some general advice on how to keep safe within your home.

6. 24. Contacts This last section will give you information on who to call for advice or to report a Fire Safety issue.

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RESIDENTS FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION PACK Section 1 - The Introduction This Resident Fire Safety Information Pack contains some extremely valuable information relating to the Fire Safety measures both in your block and within your home. We encourage you to take the time to read all the contents. The purpose of producing this pack is to provide you with as much information as possible to help you become more aware of the various Fire Safety measures that exist within your block and within your home. We have also provided information on measures that you can adopt to ensure that yourself, your family and your neighbours are kept safe and secure and are aware of what you need to do in the event of a fire in the building. We have included information on the fire safety measures within your home. This includes your detection systems, fire doors and escape routes. We explain what the hazards are within your home and tips on checks you can make to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out. You will also find information on your block including the equipment and construction materials that exist to ensure that if a fire does break out, it is contained in the area where it started. If you need to evacuate the building we have provided detailed instructions of your escape route(s) in both graphic and text formats. Not everyone takes Fire Safety seriously and we have added examples of hazardous practices that could hamper residents needing to escape and emergency services trying to fight a fire and assist evacuation. If you require any further information on issues regarding Fire Safety we have included a number of contacts that you can call or email who will help you with any query you may have. Southwark Council have an in-house Fire Safety Team with a primary role to carry out Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs). These involve visiting buildings and assessing various aspects of Fire Safety, possible sources of fire and checking escape routes. FRAs are required to cover the communal areas in a block and not the inside of each individual property. The Fire Risk Assessment is updated and reviewed as part of a programme of inspections dependant on the overall risk. The Southwark Fire Safety Team also advise, assist and train Southwark staff and residents and also attend evening tenant and residents meetings when required. The Southwark Fire Safety Team work closely with the London Fire Brigade to ensure compliance is being met across the Southwark stock.

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RESIDENTS FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION PACK Section 2 - Your Escape Routes Basic advice:

• Familiarise yourself with the escape route(s) from your flat before an emergency. For most flats this is using the staircase (NEVER A LIFT). Your flat is provided with four internal escape routes (two at each level). These lead into the block’s escape staircase via two external open balconies from the upper level of your flat, and one protected and ventilated enclosed corridor from the lower level of your flat.

• Keep all emergency access routes clear; your life or those of your family and neighbours

could be endangered if you do not. Large plants, furniture, satellite dishes or other belongings should not be stored or fixed on any internal or external escape routes for this reason.

• If the fire is in your flat:

o DO NOT stay to fight a fire. o Evacuate everyone from the flat.

o Close all doors behind you.

o Call the Fire Brigade (999) when safely away from the building and when it is safe

to do so.

• If you detect a fire in another part of the building:

o Stay in your flat unless evacuated by the emergency services. o Call the Fire Brigade (999).

o DO NOT tackle the fire yourself.

o Close all doors & windows to restrict the spread of smoke.

o If you become affected by heat or smoke, leave your flat as described above.

o IF IN DOUBT GET OUT!!!

This block has been built to protect residents in the event of a fire, so do not automatically assume you must leave your flat. The emergency services will decide whether the building needs to be evacuated. If it does, use your front door & stairs (unless the fire/smoke prevents this, in which case use the alternative means of escape).

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Your Escape Routes If, and only if, fire and smoke is affecting you or your home, you should evacuate the premises immediately. Make your way to the stairwell as soon as possible, exit the building and remain a safe distance from the fire/building. Never attempt to use the lift if you are aware that there is a fire in the building. Your home has been designed with four means of escape in the event of a fire occurring, as pictured below. Do not store items within the bedrooms that will block your escape route through the internal bedroom escape doors and out exit 2, it will hinder your escape in an emergency. Exit 1 = Front Door to corridor and stairs. Exit 2 = Alternative Escape door from the Bedroom to corridor and stairs. Exit 3 = Alternative Escape door from the kitchen to the shared external escape balcony. Exit 4 = Alternative Escape door from the Living Room to the shared external escape balcony.

The plan above is a typical flat layout; however, your flat layout may vary slightly. If so, ensure you identify the various exits using the photos and plan and exit via your front door or the alternative means of escape doors.

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In the majority of cases your main exit from your home in the event of an evacuation is by the front entrance door. However, if the fire is in your home or the front door is not accessible then you have alternatives. You can evacuate your home from either bedroom without using your front door. If you are in the smaller of the two bedrooms, you can enter the larger bedroom by walking through the small adjoining door indicated on the plan shown on the previous pages. From the larger bedroom, you can pass through another small door on the wall opposite the window. This will take you under the staircase where another Fire Door will let you through to the corridor where you can follow the signs to a place of safety. It may be the case that the corridor could be full of smoke. If this is the case then you will not be able to use the corridor outside your front door. In this instance you will need to use one of the two alternative escape routes from either your kitchen or your living room (see photographs on previous pages). Both of these doors will lead you to an escape balcony. Signage on the balcony will direct you in the direction of the escape door from the balcony. Passing through the balcony escape door takes you into the escape lobby where a door will take you into the main central stairwell. On the opposite side of the block the balcony escape door takes you directly into the stairwell. In both cases you can descend down the stairs to a place of safety. The plan of your escape routes can be seen on the previous pages. These escape routes are vitally important to your safety. Southwark Council has a zero tolerance policy concerning storage within the communal areas & therefore must be kept clear at all times and not obstructed.

What to do if you’re cut off by fire

The building has been carefully designed to make sure you are safe in the event of a fire and if you follow the instructions in this booklet, you and your family will always remain safe wherever a fire is. In the highly unlikely event that you are unable to leave your flat due to fire, then the following advice should be followed.

• If you are prevented from getting out because of flames or smoke, close the door nearest to the fire and use towels or sheets to block any gaps. This will help stop smoke spreading into the room.

• Go to the window. If the room becomes smoky, go down to floor level – it’s easier to breathe because the smoke will rise upwards.

• Open the window, try to attract the attention of others who can alert the fire brigade. Wait for the fire brigade, they should arrive in a matter of minutes.

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RESIDENTS FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION PACK Section 3 - Your Block and Your Home Your Home Your home was designed as a fire compartment. This means that all four walls, the ceiling and floor were constructed to provide at least 60 minutes protection from fire and smoke. Unless a fire starts in your home it should remain unaffected by smoke or fire for at least 60 minutes during which time the emergency services will either deal with the fire or instruct you to leave your home. If a fire starts within your home it should be contained there for the same length of time. You however should evacuate immediately. Some of the Fire Safety Measures in your home are detailed below.

Mains Smoke Detector

Battery Smoke Detector

Detection/Warning Mains powered automatic smoke detectors with battery back up are installed within your home. In kitchens a heat detector rather than a smoke detector is installed. Heat detectors are installed in kitchens to reduce the number of ‘false alarms’ caused by frying, grilling or toasting food. Detectors should be interlinked so that if one detector is triggered, the alarm sounds in each & every alarm location. Remember to test your alarm on a weekly basis & vacuum the detector to prevent a build up of dust on a regular basis.

Flat Entrance Door Your Flat Entrance Door (FED) is a fire door. It is self-closing and has strips and seals that prevent smoke and flames from entering the protected escape route if your flat is on fire. It will also prevent smoke and flames from entering your flat from the Protected Escape Route. It is therefore vitally important that if you have to leave your flat as a result of a fire that you ensure the door latches shut behind you. In addition DO NOT make alterations to your door such as removing self closing mechanisms, fitting extra locks and cat flaps, as this will compromise your safety.

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Internal Doors Some of the internal doors to rooms in your home may also have some fire resistance. The doors have a solid core and can be recognised by smoke seals in the edges of the door that will prevent the passage of smoke when the door is closed. It is recommended that when you leave your home for any length of time and when going to bed for the night that you ensure these doors are latched closed. It is again important that NO alterations should be made to your doors, such as additional locks and cat flaps, as this will compromise your safety.

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RESIDENTS FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION PACK Your Block Your block contains many safety measures that have been introduced both when the block was built and also in the years up to the present day. You may be aware of these measures but we are sure many of you may not be. This section intends to let you know what these measures are and the role they play in protecting residents from the effects of fire and smoke.

Emergency Lighting These are lights that are provided in the protected escape routes. In the event of the electricity failing they will stay lit and guide you along the escape route and out of the building. Generally there are two types of emergency lighting. Some will not normally be lit but will have a small green or red light that indicates they are working. If the electricity fails they will illuminate. The other type remains lit and are on a protected circuit so even if the electricity is cut they will remain lit.

Dry Risers A Dry Riser is used by the Fire Brigade to get water to the floors of high rise blocks. On the ground floor there is a Dry Riser Inlet that the Fire Brigade connect their hoses to and water is pumped up the vertical pipe to each floor. The fire-fighters connect up to the outlet to fight the fire on each floor. Dry Risers Inlets must have fire engine access within 18 metres of the dry riser inlet so this area must be kept clear at all times.

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Protected Escape Routes

The protected escape routes are designed to allow for residents from all parts of the building to reach the outside without passing through a higher fire risk area. Your escape route is constructed from materials in the walls, floors and ceilings that protect you from fire and smoke during an emergency. All the doors on these routes are designed to give you at least thirty minutes protection from a fire and it is important that they remain closed. This will enable residents and visitors to reach a place of safety should a fire occur in the block. It is vitally important that the protected routes & open balcony escapes be kept clear of obstructions & combustible materials so that residents evacuating the building do not trip over bags of rubbish or discarded furniture. In addition, it would be extremely hazardous if any of these items caught fire in the protected escape route making it unusable (Satallite dishes are not to be installed on the open balcony escape routes).

Fire Doors There is more to fire doors than meets the eye. A fire door is a complete installed door assembly comprising of a door frame, door leaves, other panels, hardware, seals and any glazing that when closed is intended to resist the passage of fire and smoke. In the closed position, they protect the escape route which enables residents to evacuate.

You will find fire doors on flat entrance doors, across corridors on the escape route and on electrical cupboards. They are there to protect your means of escape and should NEVER be wedged or propped open. All fire doors should not be locked or fastened in such a way that means a key is required to make an escape.

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Fire Hydrants Fire Hydrants are found in the ground near your block. They are sometimes painted yellow but also are marked with ‘FH’ or ‘Fire Hydrant’. Near to the hydrant on the wall there is a yellow ‘H’ plate. The plate indicates the size of the pipe and the distance the hydrant is away from the plate. In the example opposite it can be seen that the hydrant has a 100mm pipe and is 1 metre away from the H plate. They are used by the Fire Brigade to provide a supply of water from the mains to be fed into the Dry Riser Inlet. They are located in public footways or highways. Obstructing a hydrant is an offence and can carry a fine if convicted. Please remember to park considerately and away from any adjacent hydrants. Hydrant defects relating to leakage or safety must be reported to the local water company (as they are the owners). Any other defects or queries can be reported to the London Fire Brigade’s water team.

Fireman’s Lift Control

If a fire breaks out in your block and the Fire Brigade are called it is likely that the electricity to the block will be switched off when they arrive. This means that the lift will not be operational. It is imperative that residents do not use the lift when they are aware of a fire as they may become trapped in the lift. The Fire Brigade however can control the lift for their own fire fighting purposes by using the control switch that you will find adjacent to the lift doors. REMEMBER – NEVER USE THE LIFT IF YOU ARE AWARE OF A FIRE.

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Fire Exit Signs & Fire Action Notices

Fire Exit Signs are designed to identify the means of escape in the event of a fire. These have been strategically positioned throughout the common areas of your block to identify the direction of travel in the event of a fire occurring. Fire Action Notices are designed to inform the occupants of the block what to do in the event of a fire. These have been strategically positioned throughout the common areas of the block.

Fire Safety Upgrades

Marie Curie has undergone substantial fire safety upgrades in recent years which include:

• New front entry doors that are fire resistant for 30 minutes.

• New doors in the staircase and in the bin chute rooms will resist fire for 60 minutes.

• We have improved the level of protection to the ceiling in the communal corridors so that this now has 60 minutes fire resistance built in.

• On the balconies we have ensured that up to 1.1 metres from the floor you have at least 30 minutes fire protection between you (escaping) and a flat affected by fire.

• You now have a brand new fire alarm system which provides coverage and early warning throughout your home.

• We have worked very closely with our colleagues in the fire service to ensure you get the best possible protection and they have visited and approved these works.

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ACCESS FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES

The fire service must have clear access to the block at all times for fire fighting and rescue purposes. The dry rising main is their main method of getting water to the fire level. It is therefore imperative that this dry riser is not tampered with and clear access is allowed to the inlet at ground floor level and outlets which are located within the lift lobbies at all odd numbered access levels. The fire service may also need to position rescue ladders and platforms near to the building and you are asked to consider this when parking your car around the estate.

The Dry Riser Inlet to your block can be found indicated by the arrow in the picture above. Do not park within 18 metres of the Dry Riser Inlet or over the Fire Hydrant below.

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FIRE ACTION NOTICES The following is a breakdown of the guidance given in the Fire Action Notices and an explanation of what the advice means. If you discover a fire anywhere in the building: Discovery of a fire can be by: • Sight - seeing fire or smoke. • Hearing - sound of burning, sound of alarm (mechanical or verbal). • Smelling - Smell of burning. Anywhere in the building can be: • Your own home or other homes in your block. • Communal area cupboards and rooms. • Staircase, corridors, etc. • Basement or roof. • Refuse system – waste chutes and bin chambers. • Areas around (or close to) the external areas of the building. 1. Raise the alarm by shouting “FIRE FIRE” Attempt to alert others by shouting but don’t expose yourself to danger by trying to make physical contact with neighbours. 2. If you are not in your own home or someone else’s home in the building,

evacuate the building immediately if it is safe to do so

• Attempt to leave the building by the most direct route that does not expose you to smoke or flames. REMEMBER – KNOW YOUR ESCAPE ROUTES.

• Exit the building and move to a safe distance away. If your route out of the building is

blocked by smoke or fire, move away from the fire and seek refuge in a protected area as far away from the fire as possible. A protected area is a place that is free of fire and has at least one substantial wall and door between yourself and the fire. Avoid placing yourself in a confined space.

3. Telephone the Fire Brigade on 999

• Use a mobile phone or landline to contact the Fire Brigade (999), keep calm and follow the operator’s instructions. Further advice on calling the Fire Brigade is available at http://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/dialling999

• Remember! 999 emergency calls to the Fire Brigade are free of charge and can be made on

a mobile phone that does not have any credit.

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RESIDENTS - If the fire is inside your home: If you are at home and discover a fire in your home 1. Evacuate the building closing your Front Door behind you

• If the fire is behind a closed door do not attempt to open the door and do not attempt to tackle the fire.

• If the door of the room in which there is a fire is open, close the door if safe to do so. This will

delay the spread of the fire and smoke.

• Alert anyone else inside your home and leave by the nearest exit door of your home (that leads to a route out of the building) closing it shut behind you. REMEMBER – KNOW YOUR ESCAPE ROUTES.

• Leave the building by the most direct route & do not re-enter the building unless a fire officer

allows you to do so. 2. Remain a safe distance from the building and await the Fire Brigade

• A safe distance from the building is a place where you will not be affected by smoke, flames or debris from a developing fire or where you may obstruct the passage of other evacuees or fire fighters.

• When the Fire Brigade arrives, identify yourself as a resident and cooperate with their

instructions. RESIDENTS - If the fire is NOT in your home: If the fire is in any other part of the building or grounds 1. ‘STAY PUT’ in your home unless you are directly affected by smoke or fire

• Remain in your home unless the internal parts of your home are experiencing smoke or fire. Your home is designed to be a ‘fire resistant’ box that should offer you resistance against fire or smoke for a reasonable time during which the Fire Brigade will arrive and effect a rescue if necessary. If lots of people try to evacuate the building at the same time (if not under the control of the Fire Brigade) it may cause panic or injury and affect fire fighting or rescue operations.

2. If you are directly affected by smoke or fire - evacuate the building closing

your Front Door behind you

• Alert any other people you live with and leave by the nearest exit door of your home (that leads to a route out of the building) closing it shut behind you. REMEMBER – KNOW YOUR ESCAPE ROUTES.

• Leave the building by the most direct route.

3. Remain a safe distance from the building and await the Fire Brigade

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• A safe distance from the building is a place where you will not be affected by smoke, flames or debris that may emanate from a developing fire or where you may obstruct the passage of other evacuees or fire fighters.

• When the Fire Brigade arrive, identify yourself as a resident and cooperate with their

instructions. If you do evacuate the building DO NOT use the lifts The lifts are not fire proof and may leave you trapped in the lift if the fire causes a power failure. DO NOT stop to collect personal belongings Collecting personal belongings will delay your evacuation and carrying belongings may hinder your own and other evacuees escape. DO NOT re-enter the building until authorised to do so During a fire fighting and rescue operation the Fire Brigade will take charge of the building. They will inform all evacuees if and when it is safe to re-enter the building. If you re-enter the building before you are authorised by the Fire Brigade you may put yourself in danger and obstruct fire and rescue operations. You are advised to devise an escape plan in case of fire and discuss this with your family so that you are practiced in what to do and understand your options for escape within your flat and outside in the communal areas. The fire service can help you with this. Book a free home fire safety visit by logging onto the London Fire Brigade website https://hfsvwr.london-fire.gov.uk/HFSVRequestGaz.aspx or call 08000 28 44 28 to arrange a visit.

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RESIDENTS FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION PACK Section 4 – Advice on what to do and what to avoid The following is some valuable Do’s and Don’ts relating to Fire Safety measures in your block and within your home. ESCAPE ROUTES

• DO familiarise yourself with the escape routes from your home & the communal areas (including any alternative escape routes).

X

• DO NOT block the escape routes. These must be kept clear at all times

X X

• DO NOT wedge/prop open any fire doors

X X

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IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE...

DO raise the alarm by shouting ‘FIRE’ and leave the building, if your flat is affected by fire or smoke or you are within the communal areas.

DO close the fire doors including your flat if you evacuate.

DO NOT use the lifts if you are aware of a fire.

DO use the stairs to leave the building.

DO call 999 but only when you are safely out of the building.

DO NOT smoke in the common areas of the building or the escape routes.

Some of this information has been produced by the London Fire Brigade. For further information on Fire Safety, please refer to their website http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/FireSafety.asp.

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RESIDENTS FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION PACK Section 5 – General Advice for Fire Prevention

• You should not need additional heating within your flats but if you find it is required due to any defect to the heating system, use plug-in radiators with safety electric plugs. Do not use LPG, paraffin or electric bar fires.

• Do not use rooms for storage or as workshops. • Do not smoke in the communal areas or escape routes. • Do not overload electrical sockets, do not cover heating appliances or leave lit candles or

heaters close to curtains or furniture. • Ensure electrical equipment is regularly inspected & serviced. • Common ignition sources which should not be used include; naked flames, sparks, portable

heaters, smoking materials, paper, combustible fabrics, plastics, paints, thinners, chemicals, flammable gases.

Have a bedtime routine

Many fires in the home start at night. Make sure you have a bedtime fire safety routine to help keep you and your family safe. Here are a few simple things you should do every night:

• Switch off and unplug all electrical appliances not designed to stay on. (There are specially designed plugs available which can be very easily inserted and removed).

• Make sure no cigarettes or pipes are still burning. Never smoke in bed. • Before emptying ashtrays make sure the contents are cold. • Switch off portable heaters. • Close the doors of all rooms. • Make sure all candles and tea lights have been extinguished.

Smoke Alarms

• Never disconnect or take the batteries out of your alarm if it goes off by mistake. • Mains-powered alarms are powered by your home power supply. Your flat has been

installed with a mains-powered smoke alarm with an internal backup battery that will last the full ten years of the smoke alarm’s life.

• Your alarms are interlinked, so that when one alarm detects a fire they all go off together. • Make checking your smoke alarm part of your regular household routine (weekly). Test it by

pressing the button until the alarm sounds. If it doesn’t sound or your smoke alarm starts to beep on a regular basis, a fault has developed in which case you need to raise a repair with the Council Freephone Telephone number : 0800 952 4444.

Smoke alarms for people with hearing impairment

For people who would not be able to hear a conventional smoke alarm there are special devices available which make use of a vibrating pad or flashing light instead of the auditory signal – the vibrating pad alarms are particularly useful for deaf people. Further information can be gained from the Residents Services Officer (RSO).

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Having a safe kitchen

Nearly two thirds of all domestic fires happen because of cooking. The kitchen is the single most dangerous place in your home, and time and time again it is the same problems that cause fires. If you know about those problems, the chances are you will be less likely to have a fire in your kitchen. This section covers how to keep safe while cooking, plus what to do if a fire starts in your kitchen. Some steps you should take to make the kitchen a safe place are listed below.

Cooker

• Keep electrical leads from trailing over or going near the cooker. • Don’t hang tea towels or cloths on or over the cooker. • Keep the oven, hob and grill clean. A build-up of fat and bits of food can start a fire.

Microwave

• Don’t put anything metallic inside the microwave. • Don’t dry clothes in the microwave.

Cooking Safely

• The most important point about cooking is to avoid being distracted. Most kitchen fires occur when people leave things unattended.

• If you’re called away from the cooker by the phone or by someone at the door, take pans off the heat. It’s the easiest thing in the world to forget about them.

• Don’t cook if you’re affected by alcohol or prescription drugs. • Turn saucepan handles so they don’t stick out where they can be accidentally knocked, and

aren’t over another hot ring. • Keep the oven door shut. • Don’t put oven gloves or tea towels down on the cooker after you’ve used them. • Always clean the grill pan after using it.

Deep Fat Frying

Fires involving deep fat frying cause one fifth of all accidental dwelling fires attended by the Fire and Rescue Service in the UK each year. If you do choose to use a deep fat fryer, make sure you do it safely.

Think about what you’re doing when you are deep fat frying, remember you are heating several pints of oil to extremely high temperatures. The oil can cause terrible burns and if overheated it could ignite. In fact, it’s an ideal fuel for a fire, and difficult to put out.

Dealing with a Fire in the Kitchen

The Fire Service usually recommends that if you have a fire in the kitchen, don’t take any risks, get everyone out of your home and call the Fire and Rescue Service. If you’re not sure you can handle the fire or if it is spreading from its starting point then it is almost certainly already too big and you should leave the building. If you cannot deal with the fire, close the door on the way out, and call 999.

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If you are deep fat frying

• If a pan of food or chip pan catches fire do not attempt to remove from the stove, it could give you terrible burns if incorrectly handled.

• Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so, but never lean over the pan to the controls, switch off the supply at the electricity consumer box if necessary.

• Never throw water over it. • Don’t use a general fire extinguisher on a pan filled with oil or fat. The ONLY fire

extinguishers safe for deep fat fryers are wet chemical extinguishers, special ABF classed extinguishers and ‘dry’ water mist extinguishers! Never use traditional foam or powder extinguishers on burning fat or oil.

• Dial 999 and call the Fire and Rescue Service.

If electric appliances are involved

• Pull the plug out or switch off power at the electricity consumer box. This may stop the fire immediately.

• Dial 999 and call the Fire and Rescue Service.

Electrical Appliances When buying new equipment look out for the CE Mark of Safety. This means that it conforms to European standards and testing. Some electrical appliances have been designed to be left on all the time for example most fridges and freezers etc. If you are not sure about whether you have appliances which can be left on, check with the manufacturer or the shop where you bought them. All other electrical appliances should be switched off and unplugged when you are not using them. Never leave them on overnight. Use a three pin plug which conforms to the British Standard and carries the kite mark. Never remove a plug by pulling the flex. Always use the plug. Many fires and deaths are due to electric blankets being accidentally left switched on. As with all electrical equipment, it is important that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Check the instructions to see if you should switch off your blanket when you get into bed. Under blankets should always be tied to the bed and be switched off before you get into bed. All electric blankets should be kept dry and flat. Once your electric blanket is out of guarantee, have it serviced once a year or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The shop where you bought it can tell you about servicing arrangements. When buying an electric blanket make sure it conforms to the British Standard and carries the kite mark. This will be shown on the label. If you find any physical damage no matter how small have it checked out by a qualified electrician. Check for scorch marks and if you are responsible for elderly people check regularly especially if they have a history of incontinence.

• Keep electrical leads away from water. • Don’t put a plant pot or anything wet on top of an electrical appliance. • Check the toaster is clean and well away from curtains. • Don’t overload sockets; one plug per socket is the rule, especially if the appliance takes a lot

of power (like a kettle). • Don’t run extension cables across the floor as they can become worn. • Monitor the national news for issues with specific brands of white goods (fridge/freezers

dryers etc). • Washing machines, fridges and freezers are to be kept within the kitchen area only and not

used within other areas of the flat. • Electrical appliances especially those that work at high speeds, such as the washing machine

– should be serviced each year. • Don’t leave appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers on at night. • If your kettle is leaking water, this can be dangerous and should be either replaced or

repaired.

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Look out for warning signs of dangerous wiring:

• Hot plugs and sockets. • Trip switches that shut off for no obvious reason. • Lights flickering. • Brown scorch marks on sockets and plugs.

You should ask the council to check your wiring if you see any of the danger signs. Regular checks of the wiring in your home should help prevent these danger signs occurring. Your electricity consumer box has been fitted with circuit breakers and if a fault develops on your wiring system then the electric supply will cut out.

Children Children have a natural curiosity and because of this can be at great risk from fire. You should never leave children alone in a room where there are naked flames (candles), portable heaters or within the kitchen. Keep matches and lighters well out of their reach and never leave children alone in the house. Smoking

A lit cigarette or pipe can be deadly. Never leave a lit cigarette or pipe unattended. If it falls into a sofa, it will soon catch fire and start to give off dense smoke and fumes making it difficult for you and your family to escape. Never smoke in a chair if you think you may doze off in it.

Falling asleep with a lit pipe or cigarette can also be fatal, especially in bed where the bedding will quickly catch fire. The smoke and fumes will not wake you. Make sure you stub out your cigarette before going to bed. Always keep matches and lighters well out of the reach of children.

Do not smoke within the communal areas of the building.

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RESIDENTS FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION PACK Section 6 - Contacts If you have any queries or concerns relating to Fire Safety help is available from a number of sources. Equally, if you see something within your block that you feel compromises your safety please let us know. London Borough of Southwark Fire Alarm Repair Tele: 0800 952 4444 Fire Safety Team Tele: 0207 525 3499 Email: FRA@southwark.gov.uk. If you would like to request and review the Fire Risk Assessment for your block, please refer to the following website: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/downloads/download/2403/register_of_fire_risk_assessments

London Fire Brigade

General enquiries Tele: 0208 555 1200 Email: info@london-fire.gov.uk

Water Team Tele: 0208 555 1200 Extension 31553 or 31105

Email: water@london-fire.gov.uk

For further information on the London Fire Brigade and General Fire Safety, please refer to the London Fire Brigade’s website. http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/FireSafety.asp

To book a Home Fire Safety Visit follow the following link https://hfsvwr.london-fire.gov.uk/HFSVRequestGaz.aspx or call 08000 28 44 28 to arrange a visit.

The following links will give you further information on fire safety within the home. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/475164/Fire-Safety-in-the-Home.pdf

http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/SafetyAtHome.asp

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