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You’re not at any more risk from fire because you’re living in a high-rise flat. High-rise flats are built to be fireproof. Doors, walls and ceilings will hold back flames and smoke. Most fires don’t spread further than
one or two rooms.
If there’s a fire in another flat in the building, you’re usually safest in your own home, unless you’re affected by the heat or smoke.
Keeping your Building Safe
Never use or store bottled gas cylinders in high-rise flats.Never tamper with dry riser inlets on landings. It could cost lives if they’re not working properly when there’s a fire.If you see a dry riser vandalised, report it immediately to your Housing Assocation/ Factor.
Never park so you block access to high-rise flats. Access roads are designed so that fire appliances can get as close as possible to fight fires.
Making your Flat even Safer
Make sure that you’ve got a smoke alarm. If your alarm is bleeping from time to time, you
need to fit a new battery. Press the button to test it once every week. If the alarm doesn’t
work, contact your Housing Association/Factor to get it repaired. If you own your
house, replace the alarm. If the alarm has a battery, change the battery every year even if it’s still working.
Make an escape plan for your home. You don’t have to be an expert. Just think it
through. How would you get out at night? How would you get the kids out? Plan to
make one room your ‘safe room’ in case you can’t escape. It’s best if it’s a room with a
window and a phone.
If you’re trapped, go to the balcony. But don’t think about jumping. Wait for the fire and rescue service. Don’t use the lifts. Tell everyone in your home what the escape plan is. Tell everyone where the door key is. Practise what you’d do if you had a real fire.
Keep your escape route clear. Make sure
there’s no rubbish in corridors and stairways.
Make sure everyone knows where the stairs
are. Practise what you’d do if you had a real
fire.
If there’s a Fire in your Flat
Try to keep calm. Shout to let everyone in the
flat know. Then get out and stay out. Don’t
stop for valuables. Your life’s more important.
Don’t go looking for the fire. Don’t open doors
if they’re warm to touch.
If there’s a lot of smoke, crawl on the floor.
The air will be clearer there. Make sure your
neighbours know about the fire. Bang on
their doors on your way out. Phone the fire and rescue service. It’s free to dial 999 from any phone.
If you can’t get out because the fire is
blocking your escape, get everyone into the
safe room. Pack cushions, bedding, pillows
and towels at the bottom of the door to block
the smoke. Open the window and wave a
sheet to let the firefighters know that you’re
there. If you’ve got any sticky tape, put that
round the door to seal it. If you’ve got any
water, wet the door if it starts getting hot.
No-one should jump from a high-rise. Ever.
If there’s a Fire in your Building
If you smell smoke in the bin area or the chute, phone the fire and rescue service. But remember, your flat is your safe refuge from fire. Stay there and close all windows and doors.
If your front door starts to feel warm to touch, pack cushions, bedding, pillows and towels at the bottom of the door to block the smoke. If you’ve got any sticky tape, put that round the door to seal it. Wet the door with water if it starts getting hotter. Open the window and wave a sheet to let the firefighters know that you’re there.
Only leave the safety of your flat if you’re affected by heat or smoke, or if you’re told to leave by firefighters or police.
Use the stairs. Never use the lift if there’s a fire anywhere
in the building.
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