FIRE SAFETY – LONDON FIRE BRIGADE 

Firefighter’s tips for safe escapes 

1. Make sure everyone in your home knows – and has practised! – the escape route. 
2. If any of your smoke alarms go off, never assume it is a false alarm. 
3. Shout ‘FIRE’ to alert other people in your home and block. 
4. Don’t waste time investigating what’s happened or rescuing valuables – remember, get out, stay out, shut the door behind you and call 999. 
5. Don’t try and tackle fires yourself – leave it to the professionals. 
6. Try and keep calm, and remember that sometimes it’s safer to stay put. 
7. Before you open a door check if it’s warm with the back of your hand. If it is, don’t open it – there may be a fire on the other side. 
8. If there’s smoke, keep low where the air is clearer. 
9. Help others who may be in difficulty on their way out. 
10. Call 999 as soon as you are safe to do so. 
11. Never go back into the building once you are safely outside. 

Do you know how you would escape in an emergency?

What is an escape plan? 

In a nutshell, it’s the plan that could save your life in an emergency. In a smoky, scary atmosphere, it’s easy to freeze, panic and become disorientated.

By planning and practising how you will escape with the whole family, you can be more confident about a safe escape.

Here you can find out more about how to make an escape plan, and where to get help and extra support if you need it – this is especially important if you (or someone in your home) might find it difficult to escape quickly without assistance.

How to make an escape plan…

The details of your escape plan will depend on your home, and the people you share it with. Choose the button that describes your living circumstances most closely – there’s different advice for different kinds of home.

1. If you live in a purpose-built flat, bedsit or maisonette, your escape plan is crucial. Here’s what you need to know…
2. If you live in a bungalow, house or flat within a converted older building, this is the page for you.

GAS LEAK 

CALL NATIONAL GRID – 0800 111 999 

If you smell gas call National Grid immediately on 0800 111 999. 

Online link: http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Safety/  

When you/your property are safe and secure you should email Anne Marie Taylor at annemarie@thehousinginspector.com ensuring to mark your email GAS EMERGENCY UPDATE.  You will receive a response within 1 hour.  If you do not have internet access call the Repair telephone number 07879 471035. 

1. SECURING YOUR PROPERTY FOLLOWING GLASS OR DOOR GLAZING BREAKAGE 

   Report the situation online at annemarie@thehousinginspector.com ensuring to mark your email URGENT – GLAZING BREAKAGE.  If you do not have internet access, call the Repair telephone number 07879 471035.  

   You should do the following whilst you await the Glazing representative: 

   Clean Up Broken Glass 

   1. Clear the room of pets or small children. 
   2. Wear a heavy long-sleeve shirt to protect your arms. 
   3. Use heavy gloves to remove and carefully box large loose pieces of glass. 
   4. Do not attempt to pull out large pieces that are still attached the framework. 
   5. Clean up small pieces and fragments using a broom and dustpan and brush and dispose of thoughtfully into a cardboard box/cereal case padded with tissue paper if possible.  

   Securing Your Property 

   Secure the property to the best of your ability by covering the broken pane with wood, card, tape and/or black bags until Glass’ representative arrives at your property.  

   DO NOT screw or glue anything to the UPVC framework as damage to the frame could prevent a full repair and you will be charged for the frame which is considerably more expensive than just glazing.

WATER LEAK 

If you have a water leak, please turn your water off at the mains stop cock and notify us by email at annemarie@thehousinginspector.com.  Please ensure to mark your email URGENT – WATER LEAK, you can be assured of a speedy 30 minute response to this email and same day call out to trace, locate and attempt the repair.   

If you have not already done so you should familiarise yourself with the location of the stop cock serving your property and test its ease of use.   

http://www.thameswater.co.uk/help-and-advice/13526.htm  

 In the event that you have any problems locating this, having watched the Thames Water tutorial, please report this online at annemarie@thehousinginspector.com   ensuring to mark your email WATER STOP COCK ENQUIRY 

LOCKED OUT?    We hold management keys.  Please always contact the emergency number.  If we are unable to help we have a trusted and vetted locksmith partner.   

JW Lockservices 
7 Stirling Close, 
Banstead, 
Surrey, 
SM7 2HR 
Tel: 07889 083838 
e-mail: jwlock@hotmail.co.uk

We have an established partnership with our trusted contractor, JW Locksmith,  who are able to help you at all times.   

Should you need to access this service the fee will be payable by you. 

CHARGES 

Locks required – price can vary dependent upon lock being replaced.  Please be advised the landlord has the right for a ‘like for like’ lock to be installed hence the reason for price differential. 

Proof of address will be required before access, if possible, or when the door has been opened.   Neighbourly validation may be accepted – this decision is at the discretion of our contractor. A telephone call to Anne Marie Taylor to validate your identity will also be accepted by the Service Provider in the absence of proof of address/neighbourly validation – you must be a named tenant for this to be confirmed.

1. NO HEATING OR HOT WATER 

   If you have no hot water or heating please notify us by email at annemarie@thehousinginspector.com. Please ensure to mark your email URGENT – HEATING/WATER, you can be assured of a speedy 30 minute response to this email and same day call out to locate the issue and attempt the repair and will be given high priority. 

POWER CUT   

Speak with neighbours, if possible, to ascertain if the issue is street wide.  If your neighbours are affected this issue is not within our control and you should refer to ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority-service. 

If the power cut is affecting only your home, check your main fuse box to ensure all switches are in correct position, normally upright.  It may simply be a fuse.  If this does not remedy the problem please notify us by email at annemarie@thehousinginspector.com.  Please ensure to mark your email URGENT – POWER,  you can be assured of a speedy 30 minute response to this email and same day call out to locate the issue and attempt the repair and will be given high priority.  If you do not have internet access call the Repair telephone number 07879 471035.

Advice during a power cut regardless of  origin of issue 

Keeping your food cold – Avoid opening the fridge or freezer door to protect the food.   Food can usually last up to 15 hours if you do this.  

General tips 

1. Unplug any sensitive appliances until your power comes back on 
2. Remember that many modern home phones, particularly cordless ones, may not work during a power cut 
3. Leave one light switched on so you know when the power returns  
4. Limit the use of your laptop or smart phone to retain battery power  
5. Keep an eye on any elderly or ill neighbours. For anyone particularly vulnerable during a power cut, we offer additional services.

Find out more at ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority-service