How to keep your home fire safe this summer
When it comes to fire safety, we all have a part to play. As a landlord, there are responsibilities we have to keep our community safe, but there are also things that you can do to help keep everyone safe.
As we enjoy the warmer summer weather, there are activities we all like to do that we can’t necessarily enjoy in the winter, like relaxing on balconies or having barbeques. However, safety must come first, so we’ve outlined some guidance and advice on staying safe this summer below.
Balcony safety
Take a moment to assess your balcony and ensure there’s no flammable materials. For your safety, there are certain things that you cannot use on your balcony, like plastic materials, bamboo screening, and generally overloading the space with items.
By storing lots of items out on your balcony, you’re putting yourself and your neighbours at risk. While we understand the convenience of, for example, using a balcony to hang laundry, excessive flammable items create a serious fire hazard.
To enjoy the space, we recommend just keeping a small table and chairs - the number of chairs shouldn’t exceed the number of people that live in the home. If the balcony is used to dry laundry, we suggest using a low-level clothes airer (one that’s lower than the railings). And for those who love plants, opt for small window boxes, or use non-combustible pots with a diameter of up to 12 inches.
And finally, if you’re a smoker, ensure cigarettes are disposed of properly - never throw them off a balcony. Research has shown that most balcony fires are caused carelessness around smoking (find out more about smoking and balcony fires here).
Advice from our residents
We recently spoke with two of our residents based in Bethnal Green, to hear their advice on how residents can play their part in fire safety.
Keep safe and don’t host a barbeque
BBQs are not permitted on balconies or in gardens. We understand that BBQs are a great way to enjoy the warm weather, however, it’s essential to prioritise the safety of all residents.
The BBQ’s proximity to combustible materials such as furniture, laundry, and decorative items, increases the risk of fire accidents. Even a small spark could ignite nearby objects and potentially lead to a fire spreading quickly.
BBQs on balconies in particular can often lead to smoke entering a neighbour’s home, causing discomfort and potential health issues for other residents.
Sheds
Sheds are a helpful way to store items, but for the safety of everyone, it’s essential to ensure they are not made of plastic. Sheds also need to be at least 6M from the building, so therefore should not be up against walls or fences. If a fire started in or around your shed, the further away it is from the building, the less chance there is of it spreading to the people’s homes
For further fire safety advice and guidance, visit the Fire Safety page on our website.