Fire Safety
Everyone has a role to play when it comes to fire safety

How to stay safe at home: Fire safety guide

Many people don't realise how quickly a fire can spread. That’s why it’s so important that you take all the steps you can to protect your family and your home against the threat of fire.

If a fire breaks out in your house, call 999 immediately.

If you live in a tenemental property the advice from Scottish Fire Service - Get out, stay out and call 999.

Fire safety precautions

There are lots of simple things you can do at home to reduce the risk of fire in your home.

Fire alarms

Did you know that you are four times more likely to die in a house fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm and heat alarm? All of our smoke alarms have a test button so give it a press at least once a week to make sure it is working. It might seem small but it could mean the difference between life and death.

If there’s a problem with your smoke alarm, please call us straight away on 0141 887 8613.

Kitchen safety

Most fires start when people are in the kitchen, so please be extra careful when cooking. Even something as simple as boiling pasta can very quickly turn into a dangerous situation if you’re not careful. Always turn pan handles inwards and keep them away from children at all times. If your pan starts smoking, take it off the heat straight away and leave it to cool.

If you’re using a chip pan, never have more than one third of oil in it and never leave a chip pan alone while it’s in use.

Bedtime checks

Try to get into the habit of closing all doors in your home before you go to bed. If a fire broke out, the closed doors would help stop it from spreading. You should also switch off electrical items at night, like TVs and computers, and double check that your oven and heaters aren’t on.

Overloading sockets

Putting too many plugs in a socket could cause them to spark and start a fire. Pull out any plugs you aren’t using and regularly check your wires for any signs of damage, such as cuts or frays.

Candles

We recommend not using candles in your home as it only takes a second for a candle to be accidentally knocked over. But if you do use them, keep them in a candle holder, away from anything flammable and out of the reach of children or pets at all times.

Smoking

Remember smoking in bed or on a sofa, leaving a cigarette unattended or emptying a hot ashtray can all very quickly lead to disaster too.

Faulty products

Faulty products, like washing machines and tumble dryers, can cause a fire risk to you and your family. You should register your product with the manufacturer so they can keep you up-to-date with any safety information. You can also check the latest recall information on this Product Recall website.

Fire Safety Faq's

What should I do if there's a fire?

We hope you never need to deal with a fire but if the worst happens we want you to feel prepared. Whether you live in a house, block of flats or shared accommodation, it’s always helpful to have a plan and know what to do in an emergency. Make sure any children or elderly people in your home also know what to do.

We have different advice for different places so please read up on the fire procedure for where you live. If you’re not sure, call us on 0141 887 8613 and speak to one of our friendly advisors.

Make sure all communal (shared) areas are kept clear at all times too. They could be a fire hazard or block your escape and fire rescue access. We might need to clear the areas ourselves and charge you if you’ve left any property in these areas.

If a fire breaks out in your home, call 999 immediately.

Who is responsible for checking my smoke alarm?

While we’re responsible for looking after smoke alarms in all Williamsburgh homes you should check your smoke alarm every week using the test button. We’ll also check your smoke alarm during your annual gas safety check. If you don’t have gas in your home then it’s part of your 5 yearly “fixed wire” test (E.I.C.R).

I think I need a new smoke alarm. Where can I get one?

We fit smoke alarms in all our homes. If you think your smoke alarm is faulty or might need replacing, please contact us straight away.