Fire Safety

Newark and Sherwood District Council is responsible for the management of your home and works in partnership with the local Fire Authority and other recognised specialists, to ensure that we effectively manage any potential fire risks to your home.

Newark and Sherwood District Council will ensure that all buildings owned or managed have adequate fire protection both internally and externally, in order to protect both residents and members of the general public.

Did you know that you’re four times more likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a smoke alarm that works?

Small fires are unfortunately very common. However there are a number of simple rules you can follow to reduce the chances of a fire in your home.

Fire Safety Tips

1. Fit smoke alarms on each floor and test them once a week.
2. Do not leave candles unattended, make sure they are in an appropriate, secure and non-flammable holder and don’t place them near curtains. Two fires a day are started by candles.
3. Keep exits clear of obstructions so that people can escape quickly if needed.
4. Always keep open fires, electric, gas or portable heaters guarded. Around two fires a day are started by heaters.
5. Dispose of cigarette ends carefully and never smoke in bed. Every six days someone dies from a fire caused by a cigarette.
6. Make a fire action plan so that everyone in your home knows how to escape in the event of a fire.
7. Make sure keys for doors and windows are easily accessible.
8. Don’t store gas, petrol or bottled gas or any flammable materials at home as they can easily catch fire.
9. Unplug any electrical appliances you're not using - especially at night – and don’t leave them on standby. Faulty electrics cause around 6,000 fires a year.
10. Don’t overload electrical sockets, especially when using multi-socket extensions.
11. Keep matches and lighters away from children.
12. Don't leave cooking unattended - especially when using hot oil or fat. Around half of home fires are caused by cooking accidents.

Your responsibilities as a tenant

In your tenancy agreement you will have had information on what your role is for maintaining and reporting on fire and structural safety issues. This includes:

• Not leaving obstructions in corridors, walkways or an entrance/exit to a building, or in front of fire doors.
• Not blocking lifts or staircases.
• Removing any rubbish promptly.
• Not putting flammable items in bin chutes or internal bin storage areas.
• Not keeping fire doors open.
• Not keeping or charging mobility scooters in common areas.
• Not placing furniture or electrical equipment in corridors and common areas.
• Not smoking in common areas.

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms can detect a fire via a smoke detector and alert you early giving you time to enable you and your family to leave the house in safety. Did you know that if you don't look after your smoke alarms, they can't look after you? Making sure that you test your smoke alarms regularly, and that you have them fitted on every level of your home is one of the most important pieces of safety advice, and taking the time to look after them could just save your life or that of a loved one. 

Smoke alarms can also be connected to our Careline service. To find out more information on Careline, visit Services in your home.

For more information on choosing a smoke alarm, testing a smoke alarm, fitting a smoke alarm and looking after a smoke alarm, please read the following Government advice document: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/564803/Fire-Safety-in-the-Home.pdf

Home Visits

Our partners at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue provide free home visits which are a proven way of reducing fires, fire-related deaths and fire-related injuries.

If you feel you are unable to assess the risks in your own home, or one of your friends, family or neighbours is potentially vulnerable, a home visit can be arranged. These take approximately an hour and members of the Prevention team will visit your home to offer advice on how to make your home safer and what to do if you are trapped by fire.

They also fit free smoke alarms if required and give advice where needed. To arrange a visit, please complete the form here; https://www.notts-fire.gov.uk/home-safety-check , or call the advice line on 0115 838 8100.

If you have any concerns about fire safety in your home, please call us on 0800 561 0010.

In the event of a fire, please call the Fire Brigade by dialling 999.

What to do if there is a fire

1. Keep calm and act quickly, get everyone out as soon as possible.
2. Don’t waste time investigating what’s happened or rescuing valuables.
3. If there’s smoke, keep low where the air is clearer.
4. Before you open a door, check if it’s warm. If it is don’t open it as a fire is on the other side.
5. Call 999 as soon as you’re clear of the building.
6. Call Newark and Sherwood District Council on 0800 561 0010.