Fire safety

Escaping from high & low rise properties

The building in which you live has been designed with safety in mind but taking a few extra minutes to think about fire safety is time well spent! Careful planning can keep you and your household safe.

Plan ahead – your Escape Plan

  • Plan what you would do with everyone in your home in case of fire.
  • Always include children, the elderly and disabled people in your plan.
  • Make sure everyone knows where to find door and window keys.
  • Get your own smoke alarm even if there is a fire warning system in your block it will respond quicker and give you vital extra time to get out.
  • Ensure your smoke alarms work, if you have any concern about your smoke alarms, please contact us on 01634 565333 to arrange an inspection.
  • Choose an escape route.  Avoid balconies and plan how you would get out of your own flat and escape from your floor.
  • Make sure everyone knows where the stairs are. It is easy to get confused in the dark, so count how many doors you need to go through.

Keep your Escape Routes clear

The communal areas outside your home are likely to be used by yourself and your neighbours as part of their Escape Plan.

Do not store or leave items outside your front door, in communal areas or corridors. They could slow down someone’s escape and cause difficulties for the Emergency Services. Items such as washing lines, pot plants and bikes can cause serious problems when communal areas are full of smoke.

In a fire

  • Call 999.
  • Immediately tell everyone.
  • Don't open doors looking for the fire.
  • ‘Get out’ - don't waste time investigating or rescuing valuables.
  • Remember—use the stairs– NOT a lift.
  • Keep low where the air is clearer.
  • Don’t go back in—wait outside for the Fire and Rescue Service.

If Escape Routes are blocked

If the fire is in your flat, get everyone into a room with a window that opens. Put cushions and bedding round the bottom of the door to block smoke. Open the window to attract help.  If the fire is outside your flat, seal your front door from smoke with tape or bedding and close any ventilators. Phone 999 giving them the number of your flat.

Your responsibilities

  • Keep your front entrance door closed.
  • Please do not smoke in the communal areas of your block.
  • If you do not dispose of rubbish safely you could cause a serious fire.
  • Please do not leave unwanted furniture or kitchen appliances in communal areas. Apart from possibly blocking your Escape Route, some furniture is extremely flammable and can give off poisonous smoke in a fire.
  • If you see someone dumping rubbish please tell us immediately on 01634 565 333.
  • Get the furniture removed for FREE by calling Medway Council—Environmental Services on 01634 333 333.
  • Please do not place recycling bags onto the landings before the day of collection.
  • Never park your vehicles on Emergency Fire Access routes or in a way that would block refuse collection vehicles.
  • Gas cylinders, unless for medical purposes, must not be stored in your home, garage or store shed.
  • Check and turn off your appliances before going to bed.
  • Check your smoke alarm every week.
  • Never undertake alterations to your home without getting proper approval from mhs homes. Illegal alterations can greatly increase the risk of fire.
  • Remember to get a broken door or window repaired otherwise smoke can spread through cutting off escape routes.