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Fire Safety

Help us to keep you safe - here are some key tips on how to reduce the risk of fires.

Trident Group take the safety of our residents and customers extremely seriously. You should be aware of potential risks and how to respond in case of a fire.

In the UK in the year ending September 2024, there were 263 fire-related deaths. Many of these can be avoidable by following key tips on fire safety. These tips can keep you, your family, and your neighbours safe from the risk of fire.

Fire safety is important and can keep you and your family safe. Here are some key tips to help keep you safe:

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms: Make sure to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working monthly. You should also clean the insides twice per year. You are responsible for changing the batteries in the smoke alarm in your home and you should do it as soon possible.

Be confident in your fire safety plan: Depending on your home you may be asked to “stay put” or to follow a “simultaneous evacuation” plan.

Simultaneous evacuation is where everyone is asked to leave the building safely and calmly at the same time. You should practice how you would leave regularly with you and your family. You should also consider alternative routes should the main route be blocked by fire. You should make sure that everyone knows where the keys are and keep all escape routes clear.

If you are in an apartment block, you are likely to be asked to stay put – this is due to the fact the apartments are designed to prevent fire being able to leave the apartment it is in. If you are unsure, check the Fire Action Notice in your block or speak to the building safety team who can advise by calling 0121 633 4633 or emailing buildingsafety@tridentgroup.org.uk.  The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) support the ‘Stay Put’ policy wherever possible, with the view that it has proved over the course of many years to be a safe strategy for occupants residing in purpose-built blocks that are built and maintained correctly. If your action plan in your block tells you to stay put and there is no fire in your home, stay put.

Keep your escape routes clear – this includes in communal areas: It is really important that you keep escape routes clear as this can hinder you being able to leave the building. Trident will remove any items that block escape routes in line with our Tort Policy which you can read below. This keeps you and your neighbours safe. See something in the corridors that could block your escape route? Let our building safety team know by calling 0121 633 4633 or emailing buildingsafety@tridentgroup.org.uk.

Keep your fire doors closed – and let us in to do important checks: It is important to keep your fire doors closed as this will give you precious time should a fire occur. You should not do anything to damage the door, including putting frames or decoration up. We regularly check the fire doors and if you have an appointment then it is important to keep them.

Keep your home neat and tidy: Having a clean and tidy environment can reduce your risk of a number of issues that can affect your health and wellbeing including fires and damp and mould. If you are having difficulty with holding onto items and are worried it maybe hoarding, speak to your housing teams by calling 0121 633 4633 or emailing HomesAndCommunityHousingOfficers@tridentgroup.org.uk. Excess items can prevent your escape and can add to fuel to a fire. Read more on our here to help page.

Watch the video below from West Midlands Fire Service for more information and tips:

Fires are started by a number of causes but some of the leading ones are:

  • Cigarettes being left unattended: It is important to always make sure that you have extinguished your cigarettes properly in an appropriate ash tray.
  • Faults in electrical equipment can cause a spark which can ignite nearby items: It is important that you keep your electrical check appointments so we can check your electrics are working correctly (learn more). You should also make sure to purchase new items with a British or European safety sticker on. You should always use correct chargers and never overload plug sockets.
  • Naked flames such as candles: Always make sure they are properly extinguished and watch children and pets around them.
  • Take care in the kitchen: Cooking fires are one of the leading causes of house fires. Make sure to keep your kitchen area neat and tidy to stop grease or stray items such as tea towels catching alight. Never leave pans unattended and never put metal in the microwave. Always make sure to check that everything is turned off when you finish cooking.
  • Gas fires: unchecked and poorly maintained gas appliances can increase the risk of fire and sometimes explosions. Always take care with your gas appliances and always book your gas appointment when we get in touch. Learn more about gas safety checks.
  • E-bikes, mobility scooters, and e-scooters: These machines while being incredibly useful can be a real risk if not cared for properly as shown by the video below. The lithium batteries can overheat if not charged properly with correct chargers. They can also prevent escape routes and make it difficult to flee the building. You should store them safely in the designated spaces. If you see these blocking an escape route then please report to the building safety team by calling 0121 633 4633 or emailing buildingsafety@tridentgroup.org.uk. For more information on E-scooter safety and latest regulation updates: E-cycle and e-scooter batteries: managing fire risk for premises – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
  • Barbecues are a hit in the summer – remember to BBQ safely by never using barbecues indoors and keeping them away from children and pets. When you have enjoyed your barbecue, make sure it is cooled off before moving and emptying ashes onto bare garden soil. Always keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies.  

To protect your own possessions, we recommend that you take out home contents insurance in case they become damaged. You can do this using specialist providers for people living in social housing like the My Home Scheme or by using price comparison sites. 

If There is a Fire in Your Home:

  • Keep calm and act quickly! Immediately tell everyone in your home. Don’t waste time investigating, or rescuing valuables.
  • Before you open a door check it with the back of your hand. If it’s warm, don’t open it – fire is on the other side. Remember to shut doors behind you.
  • If you need to break a window, use a heavy object to break the glass in the bottom corner. Then knock out the glass. Be careful of jagged edges, make them safe by laying a towel or blanket over them.
  • Break your fall with cushions and bedding. Remember, don’t jump – lower yourself before dropping.
  • If there is smoke, it is often easier to crawl along the floor as the hot smoke often rises and you are less likely to fall.

If there is not a fire in your home, you should follow your fire safety plan which is in your fire action plan. If you live in an apartment this is likely to be “stay put” in your home but you can check on your Fire Action Notice in your block.

We take your fire safety incredibly seriously. We have recently updated fire doors in a number of blocks and complete an annual check on every fire door in blocks of apartments over 18 metres in line with the Fire Safety (England) Regulations of May 2022 and the Building Safety Act 2022.

Last year we invested in a brand new fire alarm system and improved the compartmentalisation of all the apartments at Trident House our largest block of flats. We have also improved the fire safety at a number of other blocks over 11 metres. Alongside this we do weekly fire alarm checks in all our buildings including our care and support services.

We also do annual gas safety and five yearly electric checks on all our properties to reduce the risks of fires. We also follow our TORT policy and remove items from communal spaces that may hinder escape.

If you would like to get involved and help us to improve our building safety, you can join our building safety panels or customer voice group by calling the engagement team on 0121 633 4633 or emailing communityengagement@tridentgroup.org.uk.

You can read more in our residents handbook.

You can also visit:

In an emergency always call 999 and follow the fire action plan set out in your Fire Action Plan.

Fire Safety Policy Aug 24Download
TORT Policy [Aug 24]Download