Rightmove Students – Don’t drink and cook!

As the nights are drawing in, you might find yourselves at home more, you are at an increased risk of being the victim of a fire.

Here’s Rightmove Students’ guide about what you, your housemates and your landlord can do to prevent fires:

You are twice as likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm. Ensure that all smoke alarms are in working order and regularly tested, this will alert you and your housemates to the earliest stage of a fire giving you extra time to escape. You should have one on every floor.

People in rented or shared accommodation are 7 times more likely to have a fire. Don’t always assume someone else will blow a candle out or turn an appliance off – make sure you and your housemates have a good routine in place and communicate with each other.

Faulty electrics cause 7000 fires a year – don’t over use multiple sockets and make sure appliances have the British Safety Standard.

Candles cause more than 5 fires a day – don’t leave them unattended and make sure they are in safe holders.

University accommodation and private halls will have been fitted with fire safety doors, allow them to do their job – don’t prop them open!

Take extra care with cigarettes and smoking materials and never smoke in bed – when a cigarette is finished, put it out, right out!

Don’t drink and cook. More fires start in the kitchen than in any other room in the house and cooking while under the influence of alcohol puts you and your housemates, at a higher risk from fire. Get a kebab on the way home instead!

Landlords Responsibilities

Electrics must have the British Safety Standard

Gas must be checked annually by a Corgi registered gas fitter

Furnishings must have the fire resistant permanent label

Carbon Monoxide detectors are a good idea to be fitted

Must show certificates when asked

When viewing properties for next year, take our handy checklist to ensure your landlord is abiding by the law and has an interest in your safety.

Why not test your smoke alarm now?! For more tips and information, visit the Fire Kills Facebook page and these handy guides:


http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_074034.pdf


http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_073993.pdf