Fire safety for council homes

If you see a fire in your flat or anywhere in a block of flats, call 999 and leave the building immediately.

If you are in a common part of the building (such as the lobby) and hear the fire alarm, leave the building immediately.

Each building will have a different fire strategy. If the fire is not in your flat, you will either have to:

• stay put (remain in your flat)
• evacuate (leave the building)

Stay put block

If the fire is in a stay put block, the following applies:

• you must evacuate if the fire is in your flat
• it will usually be safe for you to stay in your own flat if the fire is elsewhere
• if you see or hear a fire in another part of the building, it is designed to contain a fire where it starts
• you must still leave immediately if smoke or fire affects your home, or if told to do so by the fire service
• if you do need to leave, do so calmly without stopping to take possessions – head to the nearest exit and place of safety

Evacuate block

If the fire is in an evacuate block, the following applies:

• when an alarm sounds in an evacuate block of flats, you must leave immediately
• stay calm and act quickly – tell everyone in your home to get out
• do not waste any time taking valuables with you
• close all doors behind you (especially the front door) to help contain the fire
• walk calmly to the nearest fire exit and head to a place of safety away from the property
• call 999, giving your full address clearly
• never try to tackle the fire yourself