Fire Safety

Following these Home Fire Safety Tips will help to keep you safe in your home. 

• Test your smoke alarms weekly – Remember, a smoke alarm can only warn you if it works properly. 

• Plan an escape route – Plan how you would get out if there was a fire in your home. Remember to keep the hallway, stairways and doors clear so that it is easy to get out in an emergency. If you live in a block of flats, you will have a Fire Evacuation Strategy that is specific to that building. If you are not sure what your strategy is, please contact us.

• Have a night time routine – Every night, remember to close all doors, switch off and unplug appliances except essential ones like the fridge and freezer. Keep a telephone and mobility aids close by if you need them. 

• Take extra care when cooking – Don’t have anything near the cooker that could catch fire. Remember to use a timer or something else to remind you about your cooking and never leave it unattended. 

• Take extra care with open flames and heaters – Make sure candles are not on or near anything that could catch fire, or why not use battery operated candles? Do not leave portable heaters too close to anything and never cover them. 

• Don’t overload plug sockets – Use one plug in each socket. Never use them if wet, or the appliance, cable or plug is damaged. 

• Never smoke in bed – Take proper care with cigarettes, especially if you’re tired or unwell. Use an ashtray, a lidded type is best and put them out properly. 
• Never store items in communal hallways and staircases – It can provide fuel for a fire, or it may trip you up and slow you down in an emergency. 

Here’s what you should do if your home has a Stay Put evacuation strategy.

If a fire breaks out in your home: 

You should leave your flat immediately. 

1. Alert everyone in your flat and leave immediately. 
2. Close the door behind you when you leave and do not go back inside. 
3. Leave the building using the nearest fire exit, raising the alarm along the way to alert others. 
4. Once outside the building call 999 and ask for the fire service. 
5. Once you are safely outside and have called the fire service, please contact CCHA on 029 2046 8490 to notify us of the fire. 

If a fire breaks out in another part of your building: 

You should stay in your flat.  

1. Each flat is designed to contain a fire for up to 60 minutes, protecting you if a fire starts in another part of the building. If you feel unsafe in your home, leave the building using the nearest fire exit. 
2. Call 999 for advice and to make sure the emergency services are aware of the fire.  
3. If the smoke or heat affects your home or the fire service tells you to leave, do so immediately. 
4. If you leave, call CCHA on 029 2046 8490 when you are safely outside of the building. Tell us about the fire and that you’re safe outside. 

You can download a copy of the Stay Put evacuation strategy by clicking here.

If you do not know what evacuation strategy your flat has, please call us on 02920468490.

Here’s what you should do if your home has a Simultaneous evacuation strategy.

If a fire breaks out in your home: 

You should leave your flat immediately. 

1. Alert everyone in your flat and leave immediately. 
2. Close the door behind you when you leave and do not go back inside. 
3. Leave the building using the nearest fire exit, raising the alarm along the way to alert others. 
4. Once outside the building call 999 and ask for the fire service. 
5. Once you are safely outside and have called the fire service, please contact CCHA on 029 2046 8490 to notify us of the fire. 

If a fire breaks out in another part of your building: 

You should leave the building immediately. 

1. If you hear the fire alarm in your building, or your flat is affected by smoke or heat, you should get out. 
2. Alert everyone in your flat and leave immediately. 
3. Close the door behind you when you leave and do not go back inside. 
4. Leave the building using the nearest fire exit, raising the alarm along the way to alert others. 
5. Once outside the building call 999 and ask for the fire service. 
6. Once you are safely outside and have called the fire service, please contact CCHA on 029 2046 8490 to notify us of the fire. 

You can download a copy of the Simultaneous evacuation strategy by clicking here.

If you do not know what evacuation strategy your flat has, please call us on 02920468490.

Here’s what you should do if your home has a Safe to Stay evacuation strategy.

If a fire breaks out, or an alarm sounds in your home: 

You should leave your flat immediately. 

1. Alert everyone in your flat and leave immediately. 
2. Close the door behind you when you leave and do not go back inside. 
3. Leave the building using the nearest fire exit, raising the alarm along the way to alert others. 
4. Once outside the building call 999 and ask for the fire service. 
5. Once you are safely outside and have called the fire service, please contact CCHA on 029 2046 8490 to notify us of the fire. 

If a fire breaks out in another part of your building: 

You should stay in your flat.   

1. Each flat is designed to contain a fire for up to 60 minutes, protecting you if a fire starts in another part of the building. If you feel unsafe in your home, leave the building using the nearest fire exit. 
2. Call 999 for advice and to make sure the emergency services are aware of the fire.  
3. If the alarm sounds in your flat, the smoke or heat affects your home or the fire service tells you to leave, do so immediately. 
4. If you leave, call CCHA on 029 2046 8490 when you are safely outside of the building. Tell us about the fire and that you’re safe outside. 

You can download a copy of the Safe to Stay evacuation strategy by clicking here.

If you do not know what evacuation strategy your flat has, please call us on 02920468490.

Do you have home contents insurance?

Contents insurance provides cover for home contents and personal belongings in the event of a fire, flood, theft, and many more household risks.  

My Home Contents Insurance scheme is specifically designed for tenants living in social housing.  

The My Home Content Insurance scheme can offer you insurance for the contents of your home including cover for items such as:  

• furniture  
• carpets and curtains  
• clothes   
• electrical items  
• jewellery (up to £2,500 single article limit) 
• pictures and ornaments 

Click here to find out more about My Home Contents Insurance.