Homes Safety

We would like you to be as comfortable and safe in your home as possible. It is your responsibility to keep your home safe for the benefit of your household and those around you; fire and smoke can spread through a home or block of flats incredibly quickly. Please read the guidelines below on how to prevent disasters and what to do in the event of an emergency

In Emergencies

call 999 straight away and let your neighbours know if possible
do not try to tackle fires yourself, get out of the building
if you have to go where there is a lot of smoke, crawl with your head low
do not assume it’s a false alarm if your smoke alarm goes off; get everyone out of the home
check closed doors before you open them; if they are warm do not open them as there the fire is on the other side
do not stop to pick up valuables
If your escape route is blocked by fire, it may be safer to wait for the fire brigade. Close the door and block any gaps with clothes, towels or sheets. Call for help from the windows as well as phoning 999, if possible.
In Advance
make sure you know at least on escape route in case of an emergency
keep estate routes clear and let Ascham Homes know if others are obstructing them
make sure your household knows how to open doors and windows in an emergency

Fire Safety

You can contact your Fire and Rescue Service who may be able to come to your home to assess the risks and give you advice. They may also be able to fit a free smoke alarm for you. Please contact your nearest fire station or the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority,8 Albert Embankment,London SE1 7SD, 0207 5872000, www.london-fire.gov.uk For detailed advice please visit this website: www.fire.gov.uk/Home+safety There are advice leaflets at Ascham Homes’ reception.

Please do not increase the risks by storing anything that might explode or be a fire hazard in your home (such as bottled gas and paraffin). Petrol-driven vehicles such as motorbikes must not be stored in indoor communal areas.

Children

Keep matches and lighters away from the reach of children
Do not leave children on their own in the kitchen whilst you are cooking on the hob

Cigarettes

never leave a lit cigarette unattended and make sure that they are put out
be particularly careful if you are tired, have been drinking or taking medication that makes you drowsy
use proper ashtrays and empty them regularly
do not throw hot ash into a waste bin

Candles

always make sure that they are put out
put them in proper candle holders; avoid tall ones that can easily be knocked over
do not put them on surfaces that could melt or catch fire (for example, tea lights can melt TV’s)
make sure there are no materials above or nearby that could catch fire, for example, curtains or shelves.

Furniture

make sure soft furniture (for example, sofas) meet fire safety regulations[ah1]
never put a heater near clothes or furnishings

Smoke Alarms

It is your responsibility to fit smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are cheap, available in many high-street stores, supermarkets and D.I.Y. stores and are easy to fit and maintain.

Fit at least one smoke alarm, preferably one on each floor
make sure it meets British Standard (BS) 5446 Part 1 and preferably also carries the British Standard Kitemark or PCB 'Horseshoe' mark .
test your alarm every week by pressing the test button
choose smoke alarms with a standby battery and never remove a battery

Cooking

Take extra care when cooking with hot oil
never fill a pan more than one third full with oil
dry food before putting it in hot oil (water will make the oil spit)
Use a damp cloth to put out burning oil (not water)

Electricity Safety

Please use the following guide to prevent electric shocks and electrical fires from breaking out.

To stay safe with electricity, you should:
switch as many electrical appliances as possible off at the wall when you are not using them
buy good quality appliances and plugs[ah3]
make sure all plugs are wired correctly
fix a suitable fireguard in front of electric fires
get expert help for all repairs and rewiring
make sure all electric leads are not able to touch the hob/cooker
always use a proper adaptor if you are using a foreign appliance with a 2-prong plug

You should never:

use an appliance with a damaged lead
use cracked or chipped plugs or sockets
run an appliance from a light fitting
overload sockets with adaptors
handle plugs, switches or any appliance if you have wet hands
use electrical appliances in the bathroom (you can use a shaver if a special socket is fitted)
cover or block air grilles on fan or storage heaters
fit time switches or delay controls to electric fires
use an electric blanket and hot water bottle together

Gas Safety

If you think you smell gas:
do not use matches or a naked flame
do not turn light switches on or off
put out any cigarettes immediately
turn off the gas supply (usually found near the gas meter)
open doors and windows
call Transco (freephone) 0800 111 999

When Transco arrives, check their identity card.. When they tell you what is wrong, they will ask you if they can go ahead and do the repair. Do not give them permission; ask them to contact Ascham Direct on 020 8496 4197 to explain the problem. We will make sure the repair is then carried out straight away. If you are a leaseholder and the problem is inside your flat, you should allow Transco to fix the repair.

Preventing Intruders in Tower Blocks

To keep all residents safe from intruders, you should:

Make sure the door is always closed behind you
Not leave the main door propped open
Not let anyone into the block who you don’t know

If you have lost your door-entry card or key, you can get a replacement from Ascham Direct; do not rely upon other households to let you into the block.

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Homes Safety