We have dedicated building and fire safety teams who work closely with qualified experts, including the London Fire Brigade, to keep our residents safe. They monitor our buildings to make sure they’re safe and comply with the latest guidelines.
But we also need your help – to be vigilant and report any concerns – so we can address any possible issues immediately.
Know the plan
If you live in a flat, there'll be a Fire Action Notice in the entrance to your block which tells you what you should do in the unlikely event of a fire.
There are three types of strategy and it's important you know which one is in place for your block:
Full evacuation - you should do this if the fire is in your flat, or there’s a fire in another part of the building and you hear the alarm.
Stay put - if the fire is in another part of the building, you’re usually safer staying inside your home. This is because each flat is built as a separate compartment which contains fire and stops it spreading. If the fire's inside your home or if you hear an alarm, you should get out.
Evacuation alert system - there may be times when the emergency services only need to evacuate residents from certain floors in high rise buildings.
What to do if a fire breaks out
- Follow the evacuation strategy for your building
- Call 999, ask for the Fire Brigade and give the building address.
- Call us on 0300 123 3456 to let us know about the fire.
- The Fire Brigade will let you know when it’s safe to go back inside.
- If the Fire Brigade doesn’t allow you back in, we or your local council can arrange temporary accommodation if you don’t have friends or family you can stay with.
Need extra help?
If you think you – or someone you live with – will need extra help evacuating, then we want to make a plan to keep you safe.
Batteries, e-bikes and e-scooters
The batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters can cause fast-spreading fires and release toxic gases. Here’s how to stay safe:
Only use batteries and chargers that meet UK safety standards. Always buy from sellers you can trust. Don’t alter batteries and chargers or buy ones that have been changed.
Unplug the charger once the battery is full. Never leave e-bikes or e-scooters charging overnight. Always follow the proper instructions.
Never block exits or escape routes with e-bikes or e-scooters, especially while charging. Don’t leave them in communal areas either.
Look out for warning signs while charging batteries, such as smoke, white vapour, overheating, swelling, leaking, hissing or cracking sounds, a strong smell, slow charging or not fully charging.
If you spot these signs, stop using the battery, move away from the e-bike or e-scooter and call the fire brigade on 999.
Alarms, detection and warnings
Smoke detectors
You should have a working smoke or heat detector on every level of your home. Heat detectors are usually used in kitchens. We install detectors in rented homes, but residents need to test them regularly. If a detector starts beeping, replace the battery as soon as possible and never cover or remove the battery to silence it. If you rent your home and think a detector is faulty, report it to us.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is poisonous and cannot be seen, tasted or smelt. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness or loss of consciousness. Warning signs can include symptoms that improve when you leave home, sooty marks around gas appliances, increased condensation, pilot lights blowing out, or yellow flames instead of blue ones.
If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, open doors and windows, turn off the appliance if it’s safe, leave your home and get medical help. Before going back inside, call the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999 and let us know.
Preventing fires in your home
Cooking
Don’t leave cooking unattended, keep tea towels and loose clothing away from the hob, and make sure the oven and hob are switched off when you’ve finished. Keep ovens, hobs and extractors clean to reduce grease build-up.
Electrical appliances
Keep electrical appliances clean and in good working order, and stop using anything you think may be unsafe. Don’t overload sockets or adaptors, and use high-powered appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and microwaves in their own socket. Tumble dryer fluff should be emptied regularly, and hair straighteners should be switched off and left to cool on a heatproof surface.
Candles
Candles, incense and oil burners should be put out whenever you leave the room and before going to bed. Keep them in sturdy, heat-resistant holders and away from curtains, furniture, clothes, children and pets. LED candles are a safer option.
Heaters
Portable heaters should be kept away from curtains and furniture, and you should never dry clothes on them. Keep at least one metre away from heaters and let them cool before moving them. Portable gas heaters are not allowed on our estates because of the risk of fire, explosion and carbon monoxide.
Smoking and vaping
Make sure cigarettes are fully out and disposed of safely. Never smoke in bed, take extra care if you’re tired or have been drinking alcohol, and don’t throw cigarettes from balconies. If you vape, only use the charger supplied with the device, check the battery for damage and don’t leave it charging for long periods.
Outdoor and seasonal fire risks
BBQs
BBQs are not allowed on balconies in any of our buildings.
Balconies
Don’t store combustible items such as furniture, soft furnishings, white goods or bulky items on balconies, and don’t put up screens or fencing that could add to the fire risk.
Fireworks
Public displays are the safest way to enjoy fireworks. If you use fireworks at home, don’t set them off near your property, garden or balcony. Buy fireworks with the correct safety mark, follow the instructions, keep naked flames away, never return to a lit firework and keep pets indoors.
Christmas trees
During the festive period, keep real Christmas trees watered and away from heat sources, turn fairy lights off before bed or when going out. Keep decorations away from heaters, lights, candles and fireplaces. If you use candles or tea lights, keep them in proper holders on heat-resistant surfaces and away from children, pets, curtains and draughts.
Fire safety in your building
Flat front doors help stop fire and smoke spreading into communal areas, escape routes and other flats. They should provide at least 30 minutes of fire and smoke resistance and have a working self-closer. Don’t tamper with self-closers, and report any damage or faults to Peabody. Don’t fit security gates or grilles to front doors, as they can slow down escape and make it harder for the Fire Brigade to get in.
Know the escape routes from your home and building. Your usual way in and out may be the best route, but you should know the alternatives in case one is blocked or unsafe. Keep door and window keys easy to find, keep exits clear, and never block escape routes with pushchairs, bikes, shoes or other items. Tell Peabody if any part of your escape route is blocked or not accessible.
Communal areas, corridors, walkways and stairwells must be kept clear at all times. Don’t store bikes, buggies, scooters, plant pots, shoes or rubbish there, as clutter can stop residents getting out and emergency services getting in. Communal service cupboards should also be kept clear and locked.
Communal fire doors should never be propped open. If you see one open, close it. Peabody checks communal fire doors regularly, but residents should report damaged doors as soon as possible.
How we’re working to keep you safe
We regularly carry out Fire Risk Assessments on our buildings, including checks to external walls (as outlined in the Fire Safety Act 2021), and deal with any issues promptly.
We also install and maintain smoke and heat detectors in our rented homes, regularly check communal fire doors and annual flat entrance doors (in buildings over 11m), and keep communal areas clear by immediately removing anything flammable.
For our high-rise buildings, we also need to follow fire and building safety regulations that are specific to buildings 18 metres (seven storeys) or higher.
Advice and tips from the London Fire Brigade
For more information or for tailored fire safety advice for your own home, see London Fire Brigade’s fire safety checker
If you’d prefer to talk to someone in person, you can arrange a free home safety visit. Find out more on the London Fire Brigade’s website. You can also call them free on 0800 028 4428, send them an email or text them on 07869 021319.