Fire safety advice

Your home will have a smoke alarm, which will be mains powered. 

You should not interfere with the operation of your smoke alarm. 

You can test your alarm by pressing the large button in the centre, or you may have switches located on the wall that have a test button.

Try ‘test it Tuesdays’ – to make sure you remember to test your fire alarms every week, stick to testing them on Tuesdays.

If you don’t think your alarm is working correctly, call us immediately on 0300 123 2100.

To comply with fire regulations, common areas (like entrances to a block of flats) must always be kept clear, ensuring escape routes are not blocked and there are no fire hazards.

We carry out monthly checks to make sure communal areas are kept clean and clear. If items are found in common areas, we will give the owner the opportunity to remove them first, but we reserve the right to dispose of any items not removed that cause obstruction. If we do dispose of any item(s), you may be charged for the cost or it could increase your service charges.

Cooking dos and don’ts

More than half of accidental fires at home are started by cooking – often when cookers and grills are left unattended.

How to cook safely: 

• Make sure saucepan handles don’t stick out, so they don’t get knocked off the stove.
• Please don’t leave items on hobs as this can cause a fire.
• Take care if you’re wearing loose clothing – it can easily catch fire.
• Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob as they can easily ignite.
• Keep animals away from the cooker as they can and do accidentally turn switches on and knock over saucepans.
• Avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking on the hob.
• Take care if you need to leave the kitchen while cooking. Take pans off the heat or turn them down to avoid risk.
• Double check the cooker is off when you’ve finished cooking.
• Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and in good working order. A build up of fat and grease can cause a fire.
• Never use a BBQ indoors or on a balcony.

Air fryer safety

• Keep the power cords away from hot surfaces.
• Turn the air fryer off at the socket when it’s not in use. 
• Ensure the air fryer is placed on a level surface where it won’t accidentally be knocked off the counter. 
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using your air fryer. 
• Keep an eye on your air fryer when in use – if you smell burning or hear any unusual noises coming from your machine, turn it off immediately and contact the manufacturer. 
• Always wait at least 30 minutes to clean it after use. 

Don’t 

• Put oil inside your air fryer.  
• Immerse your fryer in water – this can increase the risk of the device short-circuiting when it is turned back on or, in the event water residue is still in contact with the device when in use again, increase the risk of electric shock. 
• Overfill your air fryer – typically it should only be two thirds full. 
• Plug your device into an extension lead which could risk overloading the socket. 

Deep fat frying

Take care when cooking with hot oil – it sets alight easily.

• Make sure food is dry before putting it in hot oil so it doesn’t splash.
• If the oil starts to smoke, it’s too hot – turn off the heat and leave it to cool.
• Use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer. They can’t overheat.

What to do if a pan catches fire

• Don’t take any risks – turn off the heat if it is safe to do so. Never throw water over it.
• Don’t tackle the fire yourself – Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999.

General fire prevention tips

• According to South Wales Fire and Rescue service, the lithium-ion batteries within E-bikes and E-scooters can lead to fire and explosions. Read their advice here.
• Make sure cigarettes are put out properly and are not left unattended. Do not smoke in bed, always use a suitable ashtray, and be careful if smoking while tired or under the influence of alcohol or medication.
• Never overload electrical sockets, or plug one extension lead into another.
• Check your electrical appliances are in good working order – if wires are
  frayed or damaged, don’t use them
• Appliances like washing machines and tumble dryers should have one plug to themselves as they are high powered.
• Turn off appliances when not in use, and don’t leave them on standby. Unplug appliances before you go out or to sleep.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach and sight of children.
• We advise against using candles, but if you do, make sure they’re secured in a proper holder, and are kept away from draughts and materials that could catch fire, like curtains. Don’t put candles on plastic surfaces, never move candles when they are lit, and blow them out before going to sleep. Children and pets must never be left alone with lit candles or matches.
• Do not leave tumble dryers on when you are sleeping or are not at home, and ensure you regularly remove the build-up of lint because it can be a source of ignition.
• Always use spark devices (because they are safer than matches or lighters) to light gas cookers. 
• Do not attempt to carry out any alterations to your home’s electrical system. This is not only illegal, but also a fire risk.
• Do not carry out alterations to your home without seeking permission from us. Otherwise, you might inadvertently remove a fire-rated wall or door.
• Allow us to access your heating system annually, and all other services you may have in your home. This is a legal requirement and will help to reduce the risk of fire. 
• Do not store unnecessary flammable materials or liquids in your home, or in communal areas (including gardens). 
• If you’re using a plug-in air freshener, make sure you do not use it when there is no liquid left in the device as it can overheat and start a fire.
• Be careful if you use emollient cream – they can soak into bedding, clothing, and dressings, leaving a flammable residue.
• Never use heaters to dry clothes, and always keep heaters away from
  clothes, curtains, furniture and flammable materials.

Before you go to sleep

• Close all doors to prevent potential fires spreading
• Switch off and unplug all non-essential devices and electrical items, including TVs
• Put out candles and check that your heaters and cookers are off
• Don’t charge devices when you are asleep

For more information on how different types of fires start and how to prevent them, take a look at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s website

A few years ago, a couple of our tenants unfortunately experienced a mirror fire in their home. Luckily, nobody was hurt, but it serves as an important reminder to brush up on our mirror safety knowledge.

Do not:

Please do not keep magnifying beauty mirrors next to a window because they can concentrate the sun’s rays, causing nearby objects (such as curtains, clothing, paper or furniture) to set fire. 

The sun’s rays can be magnified by a lens or magnifying mirror, so it is dangerous to leave glass objects, like magnifying mirrors, too close to windows.

Anything that can concentrate the sun’s rays, such as fish bowls or glasses of water, should be kept away from windows to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out.

Safety advice

• Keep magnifying mirrors out of direct sunlight.
• Never put glass ornaments or paperweights on window sills.
• Never place glass ornaments or paperweights in direct sunlight.
• Make sure shaving or vanity mirrors are not left on window sills.
• Be aware of objects in your home such as shaving or vanity mirrors, and glass ornaments or paperweights, that may be exposed to direct sunlight.

Your Flat entrance door may be a fire door. The door is designed to be smoke and fire resistant. The door will prevent fire and smoke from spreading to the corridor from a flat fire, and will also stop heat and smoke from a corridor fire entering your flat. 

Please follow the below instructions:

• It is critical that your main entrance fire door has a self-closing device – please tell us as soon as possible if this is missing or does not work so that we can repair it.

• If a fire occurs, close your property entrance fire door behind you after you escape.

• You must not change your fire door or make any modifications to your fire door. This includes adding spy holes and/or cameras etc

• Do not wedge fire doors open

• Your fire door will require inspections. We’ll send you a letter when your appointment is due – please allow us access to ensure your door works properly

• Please inform us of any damaged or faulty fire door by calling us on 0300 123 2100

Doors within your property 

All doors within your property will provide some level of protection against fire, even if they are not designated fire doors. Please follow the below instructions:

• Close your doors at night, particularly your kitchen and living room doors — this will hold back a fire while you escape.

• Do not drill through your door or frame. This will affect its ability to contain fire and smoke.

• If a fire does occur, close all doors when you make your escape, if it is safe to do so.

Communal area Fire Doors 

Fire doors in the communal areas protect staircases and other escape routes from smoke.

• Do not wedge these doors open.

• If the door becomes faulty, report it to Valleys to Coast so that we can repair it.

• If you spot that another property in the building has a faulty fire door, please report it to us on 0300 123 2100.

Pre-plan an emergency escape route, and make sure everyone in your household knows it.

Make sure all exits are kept clear.

Keep door and window keys where everyone in the household can find them.

What to do in the event of a fire:

Always leave your property if it is affected by smoke or heat, or if told to by the Fire and Rescue Service.

Keep calm and act quickly, getting everyone out of the building as soon as possible.

Do not try to investigate the situation yourself.

Before opening a door, check if the door handle is warm. If it is, don’t open it, because there is probably a fire on the other side.

If you encounter smoke, keep your body down low where the air is cleaner.

Never tackle fires yourself – leave it to the professionals.

If there is a fire, always use the staircase to get to ground level if leaving the building – not a lift.

Do not leave your belongings or rubbish in corridors or near the staircase. This could affect you and your neighbours if there is a fire.

Call 999 as soon as you are clear and safe.

Do not put yourself at risk. Do not return to your flat until you have been told it is safe to do so.

GET OUT, STAY OUT, and Dial 999

• To find out more about how different fires start and how to prevent them, visit the South Wales Fire and Rescue Services website
• Use this calculator to make sure you’re not overloading your sockets – https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk//guidance/safety-around-the-home/overloading-sockets/
• Check to make sure none of your products have been recalled due to a fire risk – https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/