Annually, Christmas trees, candles and decorations are responsible for fires which lead to numerous casualties and the knowledge of preventing these fires cannot be understated. As ever, your safety is our number one priority, and we ask that you take extra care in your building over Christmas to reduce the risk of fire.
We hope that you are looking forward to enjoying the festive period, but please take a a few minutes to look at the following fire safety tips to help ensure that everyone has a safe and happy holiday season and beyond.
Cooking and Kitchen safety
Most of us will be cooking more than usual during the holidays, so here are a few reminders to help keep you safe:
- Never leave cooking unattended
- Never fill a pan more than a third full of fat or oil
- Don’t cook under the influence of medication or alcohol that make you tired or drowsy
- Never use oxygen equipment whilst cooking or near a naked flame
- If clothes catch fire, don’t run. Remember! ‘Stop, drop and roll’
- Avoid using style chip pans or deep frying on a hob. Try oven alternatives or use a specifically designed heat-controlled fryer
- Keep ovens, hobs, grills, toasters and microwaves clean. Fat, grease and crumbs can easily catch fire
- Ensure heat alarms are installed in your kitchen to provide an early warning of fire.
- Look out for leaving things like oven gloves and tea towels close to appliances such as cookers, especially if they are switch on! Read our Fire safety in the home leaflet here.
If a pan catches fire, don’t tackle the fire yourself and never throw water on it.
Turn off the heat, but only if it is safe to do so.
Leave the room, closing the door behind you. Get out, stay out and call 999.
Smoke and heat alarms
Fit at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and a heat alarm in your kitchen area. Test each alarm weekly and periodically vacuum your alarms and wipe over to remove any dust. The whole unit should be replaced every ten years.
If you have any gas appliances, a carbon monoxide (CO) detector should also be fitted.
High Rise Sprinkler Update
Following a review, Manchester City Council has taken the decision to defer the sprinkler installations in the four high rise in Brunswick. If you have any concerns around fire safety in your block, please contact S4B who will be able to answer any questions you have about current fire safety arrangements in place.
Christmas Trees
The needles and resin on pine trees are both incredibly flammable, meaning that the smallest spark can set your tree aflame in a matter of seconds, so, make sure it’s fresh and keep it watered. Christmas trees can drink up to two pints of water daily
Christmas Lights
Turn them off when not required and consider a Christmas light timer to make sure that your lights are turned off at night or when you’re not in the building. lights. Make sure the cords aren’t damaged and be wary that lights specified for outdoors are not being used indoors and vice versa.
Candle safety
Try using an LED candle instead of real wax candles. Always use candle holders and never put tea lights directly onto plastic surfaces such as TVS and baths. Keep burning candles out of reach of children and pets and never leave a lit candle unattended and always extinguish candles properly. Keep candles out of draughts and away from curtains and other fabrics.
Smoking
Quitting smoking or having a smoke free home are the best ways to reduce a smoking related fire at home. If you smoke, always stub your smoking related material out properly using a heavy wide bottomed ashtray. Never smoke in bed or after taking medication, drugs or alcohol that make you tired or drowsy. If smoking out of a window or on a balcony, NEVER flick your cigarette ends over the side.
If you have an e-bike, e-scooter or kits to convert standard bikes and scooters, please read this document, published by London Fire Service investigation team. People who use these products need to be aware of the risks and the dangers of storing them in escape routes, in the home, or in communal areas such as hallways in blocks of flats. Please also take a look at our own safety leaflet here.
Electrical safety.
Only buy electrical goods that have a British UKCA or European safety mark CE. Use the correct fuse in the plug of your devices or appliances to prevent overheating. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the correct charger for the appliance. Never use electrical appliances such as tumble driers, washing machines or dishwashers when you go out or go to bed. Keep to one plus per socket and if you need to use a plug adaptor – DO NOT overload it.
Local recycling and collections
We understand that you are likely to have more recycling than usual at this time of year. Do not leave any rubbish in hallways, communal areas or pathways, as this could become an obstacle in the event of an evacuation or for pedestrians. It’s also an increased fire risk.
Your local waste and recycling centres are listed on the MCC website. Please keep all items you wish to dispose of in your flat until you are ready, taking care not to block any exit routes to your front door. If your building has a bin chute, please do not force any items into it which may get stuck, as this will increase the risk of fire. If your bin chute is clogged, please call us immediately on 0300 555 0128.
Camping stoves and BBQ’s, including disposable BBQ’s, should NEVER be used on a balcony and definitely must NEVER be used indoors. Only ever use them for what they are intended.
Balcony safety leaflet here.
Patio heaters should also only ever be used for what they are intended and should NEVER be used indoors. With Stoves, BBQs and Heaters, there is an increased risk of fire and the heat they omit can be very much underestimated. They can all produce carbon monoxide, which is odourless, colourless and deadly.
If you live in a property with a communal area, please remember to keep these areas clear at all times. Failure to do so could result in your items being disposed of. if you see a sticker on an item of yours left in a communal area, please remove it by the date specified or it will be removed. Safety leaflet here.
Here are some general fire safety tips that apply to everyone. If you don’t have working smoke alarms in your property, please contact us ASAP on 0300 555 0128.
*All of these hints and tips have been extracted from information provided by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue and other fire services. Visit GMFRS – Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service for further updates or information not included in this bulletin.
For any fire emergencies please continue to follow the get out policy for your property as set out by GMFRS, and phone 999 in the first instance.
For any questions or queries please get in touch with S4B, Telephone 0300 555 0128, email mailto:info@s4bmanchester.co.uk send a WhatsApp message to 07500 065 270, or call into the S4B housing office, 15 Brunswick Street, M13 9SU. Alternatively please visit the GMFRS website.