Fire Prevention Week 2017
As it is Fire Prevention Day and Fire Prevention Week, here at Stuarts we just wanted to remind you of a few things you can do both as Tenants and Landlords to help prevent fires in the home.
About half of all fires are caused by carelessness or lack of common sense. Here are a few things to remember both for Tenants and Landlords including fitting and testing of smoke alarms, EDITH (Exit Drills In The Home) and Fire Safety Checks.
Landlords and Fire Prevention
Do I need a smoke alarm?
To find out the answer check out our website Click HERE . Fire Prevention is important and you need to be aware that as a Landlord you are expected to have a smoke alarm fitted on every floor of your house. You must also ensure that the smoke alarm is in working order at the start of each new tenancy. Local authorities can impose a fine of up to £5,000 where a Landlord fails to comply.
Can I get a free visit from the fire and rescue services?
The Fire Service can offer a Home Fire Risk Assessment or Home Fire Safety Check.
This is a visit from the rescue service where they will carry out an inspection of your home. They are free and you may be eligible for free smoke alarms to be fitted where required. You just need to be aware that the visit may be conducted by firefighters who are operational so they may turn up in a fire engine. They may also get called away. The visit could also be from someone from the fire safety team.
For more information visit http://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/
Tenants and Fire Prevention
Do I need to check the smoke alarms?
As a tenant, it is your responsibility during the tenancy to check the functionality of the smoke alarm at regular intervals. The fire service recommend you check them monthly.
EDITH (Exit Drills In The Home)
This is where families are encouraged to have an escape strategy plan in case of a fire. Have you as a tenant thought about this?
You can visit http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/safety-in-the-home/escape-planning
Fire can spread rapidly through the home, leaving you as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the alarm sounds. You can fit smoke alarms, check them, have a closed door to slow down the spread of the fire but you should also know what your escape strategy is in your household. Look at the property and look at all possible exit and escape routes, making two for each room. The can include windows and doors. You can do this with everyone in the family, even getting the children involved but also giving them and everyone in the household the knowledge of where to exit or escape in the event of a fire.
Can I get a free visit from the fire and rescue services?
This is a visit from the rescue service where they will carry out an inspection of your home. They are free and you may be eligible for free smoke alarms to be fitted where required. You just need to be aware that the visit may be conducted by firefighters who are operational so they may turn up in a fire engine. They may also get called away. The visit could also be from someone from the fire safety team.
For more information visit http://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/
THis is helpful for both landlords and tenants – don’t miss the simple things that can prevent fire