Fire safety advice

We’d advise you to familiarise yourself with any fire safety information in communal areas of your block. 

If you’ve any further concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The London Fire Brigade have some great advice on their website

The advice on whether to evacuate or not will depend on the building you live in.

If you live in a purpose built block of flats, there will be a fire action notice in the communal areas with the recommended approach for your building.

If you have any concerns, please contact us.

Further information about bungalows, houses or a flat within a converted older building can be found on the London Fire Brigade's website here.

We work closely with the fire authorities to review fire safety advice and practices.

And as part of our annual gas safety inspection of your home we commit to:

• Check the gas supply into your home
• Service your heating system, including any hot water cylinder and thermostats
• Check and test any hard-wired smoke alarms.

In addition, if you live in a block we'll:

• Fit fire doors and smoke alarms in communal areas
• Provide the appropriate signage and fire protection equipment
• Display a fire action notice detailing the evacuation requirements of the building.

Having working smoke alarms in your home could save your life.

Consider having one on every floor of your home and in rooms that have a higher risk of a fire.

Make sure you test your smoke alarms regularly (at least once a month).

Further details are available from the London Fire Brigade here.

Most people have lots of items in their home, and that's fine, but it can become a problem if clutter starts to build up and have a negative impact on your day-to-day life, safety and your health.

• Keeping your home tidy from clutter can help to reduce fires. Decluttering your home can be stressful, but there are lots of simple steps you can take to get you started. Find out more here.


• Your safety is our number one priority. It’s really important nobody stores potential trip hazards or combustible items (e.g. bikes, pushchairs) in communal spaces.
  
  Please keep access in communal areas free of obstacles/combustible items. Report issues to us and talk to your neighbours if there are obstructions which make it difficult to move through walkways, especially if they are routes to fire escapes.   

 

The following advice offers guidance for those who smoke and use candles. However please note that in some Optivo homes the use of candles and smoking is strictly prohibited and fines may be enforced.

We advise these residents, such as those living in student or keyworker accommodation, to refer to their tenancy or licence agreements and follow the guidance within the building regarding these rules.
 

Smoking:

If you smoke, try to avoid doing so inside.  If you do smoke inside:

• Make sure the cigarette is extinguished
• Don't smoke in bed or anywhere you may fall asleep
• Never leave anything with a flame unattended
• Use proper ashtrays and never put ash or hot cigarettes in the bin
• Store matches and lighters away safely when not in use and keep out of the reach of children.

 

Candles:

Candles are one of the common causes of home fires.

Can you use them safely at home?

Here's some guidance from the London Fire Brigade.
 

Here are some top tips for when you're in the kitchen:

• Never leave pans or the grill unattended in the kitchen
• Don't cook if you're too tired or if you're feeling drowsy due to medication or after drinking alcohol
• Here's some further advice on cooking and fire safety from the London Fire Brigade.

• Make sure heaters are kept a distance from anything that may set alight.
• Don't plug too many appliances into electrical sockets.

• Do not leave an aerosol can close to heat sources even when they are empty, because they may explode and cause injury


• Never use a barbecue (including a disposable one) indoors or on a balcony


• You can find more safety advice on the London Fire Brigade's website.