Fire & Gas Safety
Fire Prevention
Take precautions to prevent fires and have an agreed plan of action in the event of a fire.
- Smoke alarms: check they're on every level of the house, test weekly and don't take out the batteries, even if they keep going off, they may be in the wrong place.
- In kitchen: there should be a fire extinguisher or fire blanket, if not ask your landlord for one.
- Furniture: legally must be fire resistant and will have a label to prove it.
- Electrical wiring: don't use anything that looks unsafe and get your landlord to employ an electrician to fix it.
- Candles: don't use near anything flammable, like curtains.
- At night: check everything is turned off (not on standby) and any candles or cigarettes have been put out. Close doors to delay the spread of fire.
Finally, if there is a fire GET OUT as soon as possible and DO NOT re-enter for any reason. Dial 999 for the Fire Brigade.
Carbon Monoxide
If you have gas appliances in your house, carbon monoxide is a possible danger. It's invisible, odourless and can kill, some common symptoms are...
- Unexplained drowsiness or headaches.
- Giddiness when standing up.
- Sickness and diarrhoea.
- Chest pains.
- Unexplained stomach pains.
You can get a carbon monoxide detector from ask4, also watch out for...
- Gas flames that burn orange or yellow rather than blue.
- Sooty stains on or around your appliances.
- Solid fuels that burn slowly or go out.
All gas appliances should have a CORGI gas certificate, dated within the last year to show that it has been serviced.