Make an escape plan

• Include everyone who lives in your home, especially children, older people and lodgers.
  
• Talk through your plan, including what to do and what not to do in a fire.
  
• Tell everyone where the keys are for the doors and windows.
  
• Plan the order you'd escape in, so that if you have to go out of a window you can help others down.
  
• Visualise and if possible without causing any injury or damage practise the plan and remind everyone of what to do and what not to do in a fire regularly.
  
• Have your escape plan written down and placed somewhere prominent, like on the door of the fridge.
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Choose an escape route

• The best escape route is your normal way in and out of your home.
  
• Think of any difficulties you may have getting out, for example in the middle of the night.
  
• Choose a second escape route in case the first one is blocked.
  
• Keep both escape routes clear of things that might get in the way.
  
• Ensure any keys for locks on windows and doors are available.
  
• You may be able to escape out of the window if you're on the ground floor.
  
• If you're on the first floor you should only do this as a last resort when you are in immediate danger. You should cushion your fall with bedding or cushions and lower yourself before dropping.
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What if you can't escape?

• If you can't escape, you need to find one room for everyone to take refuge in.
  
• It's best if the room you retreat to has a window and a phone.
  
• Shut the door and block the bottom of it to prevent smoke getting in with some clothing or bedding.
  
• Dial 999 and ask for assistance. The operators are trained to give you advice and to reassure you. Explain to them your location in the property.
  
• Open the window and call for help.
  
• Stay by the window and lean out of the window to breathe if you need to.
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What if you live in a flat?
High-rise flats are built to be fireproof. Walls ceilings and doors will hold back flames and smoke. If there's a fire elsewhere in the building you're usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.

• Make sure everyone in your home knows about the fire and alert neighbouring flats by banging on the doors on your way out. Set off the fire alarm if there is one.
  
• If there's a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor where the air will be cleaner.
  
• Get everyone out and don't delay for valuables.
  
• Don't investigate the fire.
  
• Before you open doors check them with the back of your hand. If they're warm don't open them as the fire is on the other side
  
• Don't use the lift. Go down the stairs.
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What else can I do?

• Contact your local Fire Service and ask about escape plans for the home. Enquire about a Free Home Fire Safety visit.
  
• Fit smoke alarms that comply with the British Standard or equivalent international standard. They can give you more time to get out. Test them weekly and change the battery once a year.
  
• The government run regular fire safety campaigns, which are supported with leaflets that you can download, plus other promotional material. For more information on these campaigns, please see the website of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), formerly Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and http://www.firekills.gov.uk/.

Electrical safety
Here are a few simple rules fire safety rules that will help you to prevent electrical equipment starting fires in your home.
But even if you follow all of them, you should still fit a smoke alarm. Get a FREE smoke alarm that complies with the British Standard or equivalent international standard by contacting your local Fire Service and enquire about a Home Fire Safety visit.
Electrical appliances:

• At night, turn off and unplug all electrical appliances, except those that are meant to be permanently switched on i.e. skybox, dvd player, fridges and freezers etc.
  
• Always make sure the electrical appliance has the correct fuse. Use a 3amp fuse for equipment up to 720 watts, a 13amp fuse for equipment over 720 watts.
  
• Avoid multi-way adaptors. Overloading an electric socket by using several adaptors can cause overheating and fire. One plug, one socket is a good policy.
  
• Don't run extension leads or cables under carpets. You won't be able to see any damage to them.
  Wiring:
  Look out for warning signs of dangerous wiring, like:
  
• Hot plugs and sockets.
  
• Fuses that blow for no obvious reason.
  
• Lights that flicker.
  
• Brown scorch marks on sockets and plugs.

If you see any of these warning signs, ask a qualified electrician to check your wiring.


Bedtime routine
Many fires in the home start at night so think about your bedtime fire safety routine to prevent these fires.
A bedtime fire safety routine will help to keep the family safe.
Switch off and unplug all electrical appliances not designed to stay on.
Make sure no cigarettes or pipes are still burning.
Never smoke in bed.
Before emptying ashtrays make sure the contents are cold.
Switch off portable heaters.
Close the doors to all rooms.
In addition to a bedtime fire safety routine.

• A correctly installed and working smoke alarm can give early warning allowing you and your family those valuable extra minutes to make your escape.
  
• Make sure the smoke alarm complies with the British Standard or equivalent international standard.
  
• Test it weekly.
  
• Change the battery annually.

Landlords' responsibilities
There are 2 areas of responsibility for a Landlord.
If there are several flats or bed-sit units within a building comprising of single occupiers, either in a purpose built or converted property, a landlord must ensure adequate fire safety measures are in place with the communal areas of the building.
If there is more than one tenancy or family living in a house or flat, the property is called a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), and as a landlord you must make sure there are adequate fire safety measures in place for tenants.
On 1st October 2006 the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 was introduced. If your premises are not a 'single private dwelling' then the Order will place specific duties on the responsible person (e.g. the landlord) to undertake a fire risk assessment of their premises, as above, and ensure that the general fire precautions are satisfactory.
Equipment
Fire detection: HMOs must be equipped with fire alarms and heat or smoke detectors. They should be located in vulnerable areas such as kitchens and should also be accessible in escape routes.
Smoke and fire alarms, should conform to BS5446 Part 1. Electrical alarms and automatic fire detection systems should conform to either BS 5839 Part 1 or BS 5839 Part 6 (dependant on the size and type of premises).
These must be connected to the electricity supply and each alarm should be inter-connected and audible throughout the entire building.
Firefighting: There should be at least one portable fire extinguisher on each floor of the property and all shared kitchens should have a fire blanket.
The type and size of the extinguisher will vary depending on the risk. However powder or foam extinguishers are normally considered the most suitable for use in kitchens.
Extinguishers should be visible and accessible but placed out of the reach of young children.
You should arrange for all fire equipment to be regularly serviced and kept in good working order at all times.


Fire escape routes
A fire escape route is usually the normal route to the street door of the house or flat. It may be necessary to provide additional exit routes in larger properties with more occupants. Appropriate signage should be provided to identify any additional exit routes.
Once you have identified an escape route, you must ensure that the walls, ceilings, doors, glazing, staircases and staircase enclosures along the route to the exit door are capable of resisting fire for at least 30 minutes.
The escape route including staircases and corridors must be kept clear of obstructions at all times and should not be used as a storage area, especially for combustible items.
Exit (street) doors must be fitted with a lock, which can be easily opened from the inside without a key. All fire-resisting doors should be self-closing.
Larger properties
Generally speaking, the more storeys in your property, the more fire safety equipment and escape routes you should provide and maintain. This also applies if the layout of your property is not simple but includes a number of corridors leading in different directions. As a rule, the larger the property, the more fire safety measures must be in place.

Escape routes should be fitted with fire exit signs if the escape route is not the normal way out. If there is a basement, there must be a fire-resistant door between it and the ground floor.
Occupants should have more than one means of quick escape. If the property has an external escape route, it should be protected from smoke and fire.
An emergency lighting system should be installed to illuminate escape routes so that occupants can safely leave the building in an emergency situation.
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations [Amendment] 1989]
If you provide new or second hand furniture in your property, under section 11 of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 you must ensure that it meets safety standards on fire resistance. This applies to all furniture provided after 1 March 1993 and made after 1950.
Display labels should be attached to all furniture meeting the requirements stating that the item meets the necessary requirements of the 1988 Safety Regulations.

Supplying furniture that does not meet these standards could lead to up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of £5000.
Furthermore, if a fire started in your property and the furnishings were found to be below regulatory standards, you would face more serious penalties for contributing to any deaths or injuries.

Further Guidance
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has produced guidance notes that tell you what you have to do to comply with fire safety law, help you to carry out a fire risk assessment and identify the general fire precautions you need to have in place.
The guides are designed so that a responsible person, with limited formal training or experience, should be able to carry out a fire risk assessment. If you read the guide and decide you are unable to apply the guidance then you should seek expert advice.
More complex premises will probably need to be assessed by a person who has comprehensive training or experience in fire risk assessment.
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