Fire safety advice

We take fire safety very seriously, as you'd expect. We carry out regular fire assessments on our buildings, which take into account the specific features of a building, like its height, and the people who live there. 

Fire safety booklets

Our general fire safety booklet contains useful advice on staying fire safe at home. It includes a guide to creating an emergency escape plan for you and your family. 

If you live in a building with a communal area (usually a flat), we have a specific fire safety booklet, with separate guidance.  

This booklet has been sent directly to customers who live in a property with communal areas. This information includes details on:

• Where to find the fire action notice for their building
• Considerations for establishing a personal escape plan
• The new requirements for the inspections of fire doors.

This information will be provided to all new residents when they first move into their home, and we will send reminders out every year too.

Contact us

If you have any concerns about fire safety, don't hesitate to contact us:

• Phone 0800 013 8555 
• Email info@ncha.org.uk.

If it's an emergency call 999 for immediate help.  

Smoke alarms

The most important step you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe is to ensure your home has a working smoke alarm. A working smoke alarm can give you the vital time you need to get out, stay out and call 999.

Test your alarm regularly, and make sure everyone in your home knows the escape routes if there is a fire. 

Candles

If you use candles in your home, make sure you follow these tips: 

• Never leave lit candles unattended. Put burning candles out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re out completely at night.
• Place your candles carefully. Make sure they are on a stable surface, out of the reach of pets and children, and keep them away from flammable objects like curtains, furniture, bedding and books.
• Don’t move candles once they are lit.
• Do not burn several candles close together as this might cause the flame to flare.
• Burn candles in a well-ventilated room, out of drafts, vents or air currents. This will help prevent rapid or uneven burning, soot, and dripping.
• Put candles out with a candle snuffer or a spoon - sparks can fly if you blow them out.
• Always put scented candles in a heat resistant holder. These candles are designed to liquify when heated to maximise fragrance.

Communal areas

Where properties have a communal area, like a hall or stairs in a block of flats, we carry out an annual fire risk assessment. Every week, our scheme managers test fire alarms, and every month they test emergency lighting and venting. 

Residents are responsible for keeping buildings safe. Don't store or use dangerous, flammable or explosive liquids, gases or tools in your home or in any communal areas or obstruct any communal area with personal belongings or rubbish. You must comply with health and safety instructions and take all reasonable precautions to prevent fire, flood or other damage to your home.