This fire safety guidance is for residents living in houses. If you’d like fire safety information for residents living in flats, tap here.
Stay fire-safe:
- Fire safety is a top priority for Be One Homes, and we work closely with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) to help minimise the risk and impact of fire.
It’s also crucial that you keep yourself safe and don’t do anything which could put you or other people at risk of injury from fire. In this section of our website, you’ll find important guidance and handy tips on staying fire safe.
The importance of smoke alarms/detectors:
- As your landlord, we have a legal duty to provide and fit smoke detectors in your home.
One smoke alarm must be installed in each storey of the home, and we’ll check and service these smoke alarms in line with your yearly gas service. It’s a requirement of your tenancy agreement that you allow access for this visit to keep you and your home safe.
A working smoke alarm could save your life in a fire – so make sure you test it once a month. If your alarm starts to bleep on a regular basis, it may have developed a fault or simply need new batteries.
Never disconnect or take the batteries out of your smoke alarm unless for the purpose of renewing batteries. Please contact us if you suspect a fault.
- Make sure you test your smoke alarms once a month. They can only save lives if they're working.
For independent fire safety advice on smoke detectors, contact:
- Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service on 0161 736 5866.
- Or, for a free Home Safety Check, call Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service on 0800 555 815.
If you don't have a smoke alarm/detector:
Please contact us on 01204 328000 and we’ll arrange to have one installed.
How to reduce the risk of fire in your house:
Remember these important fire safety ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ to reduce the risk of a fire starting and spreading in your home:
Fire safety do's:
- Close internal doors at night, especially the doors to the lounge and kitchen. If there’s a fire in your home, the flames and smoke will be kept in the space where the fire starts for some time.
- Keep your exit route clear and your keys in an accessible place.
- Keep lighters and matches out of the sight and reach of children.
- Turn off all electrical items not designed to stay on for long periods.
- Always use the correct type of plug on your appliances and don’t overload plug sockets or extension leads.
- Take extra care if you smoke when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs, or if you’ve been drinking.
Fire safety don'ts:
- Don’t store gas, petrol, diesel, or any items containing these fuels inside your property.
- Don’t leave candles burning or food cooking unattended.
- Don’t smoke in bed and always dispose of cigarette ends carefully.
- Don’t leave vaping devices charging unattended and make sure batteries are suitable for the device you’re using.
- Don't leave children alone. Even if they’re only visiting, don’t leave them on their own in areas where heaters or cookers are being used, and keep matches and lighters out of reach.
Fire safety when cooking:
- Kitchen fires are one of the most common causes of domestic fires and can easily take hold if food is left unattended. Follow these steps to reduce the risk of an injury or fire from cooking.
- Take extra care if you have food cooking and need to leave the kitchen: always take pans off the heat or turn them down to avoid the risk.
- Take care if you’re wearing loose clothing - they can easily catch fire. You should also keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.
- Use spark devices to light cookers – they’re safer than matches or lighters because they don’t have a naked flame.
- Double check that the cooker is off when you’ve finished cooking.
- Keep the oven, hob, and grill clean and in good working order – a build-up of fat and grease can increase the risk of a fire.
- Don’t put anything metal in a microwave – it can spark and cause a fire.
- Take care when cooking with hot oil - it sets alight easily.
- Use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer – they can’t overheat.
- Never throw water over a chip-pan fire. If cooking oil starts to smoke, it’s too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool.
If you smoke:
- We advise against using refillable lighters, as they can leak or flare unexpectedly and pose a significant fire hazard. Please consider safer, non‑refillable alternatives.
- Don’t smoke in bed. This is one of the most common causes of fire in the home. Always finish your cigarette or pipe before you go into the bedroom and make sure that you’ve put it out properly.
Bedtime checks:
- Switch off and unplug all electrical appliances that don’t need to be left on and close all windows and doors to prevent the spread of fire.
Fire safety planning:
- Take time now to think about how you’d escape and where the doors to the exit route are. It’s important that all escape routes inside your home are always kept clear of obstructions.
There shouldn’t be any chairs, plant pots, mats, or similar items in the area that would be a trip hazard.
Think about how you use your home and what it’d be like if the rooms were filled with smoke.
If there’s a fire or smoke in your house, or if the smoke alarm sounds:
Alert everyone:
Leave by your nearest exit:
Call 999 and ask for the Fire Service:
Go to a place of safety:
If you can't get out by your escape route:
Get everyone into one room:
Block the smoke:
Call 999 and ask for the Fire Service:
If smoke affects the room you're in:
Please let us know if you'd need help to evacuate in the event of a fire:
If you’d need help to evacuate in the event of a fire, you must tell us. This could be because of a disability, a sensory impairment, or if you have reduced mobility.
Please tell us by calling 01204 328000 or emailing us at buildingsafety@boltonathome.org.uk.
More fire safety advice on the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) website:
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service offer free Home Fire Safety Assessments:
Colleagues from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service may be able to visit your home and provide fire safety advice and equipment, depending on risk.
