Fire safety

Your safety is our highest priority. We work hard to make sure all our homes are safe.

Report a fire risk or concern
 
Contact your Housing Officer if you need to report any concerns about the fire safety of your building. 
 
In an emergency always call 999. 

Make your home safe from fire   

There are things you can do to prevent fires in your home. This will keep you, your family and neighbours safe.  

See London Fire Brigade fire safety advice, including how to book a free home fire safety visit.  

In your block of flats   

  • keep communal areas clear. Don't leave large items such as furniture, prams or bikes in entrance halls, stairs, balconies or corridors
  • do not wedge communal doors open. These doors are fire-resistant. They help to stop fire and smoke spreading, but only when closed
  • do not use any gas barbecues in communal areas
  • do not place security grilles or gates over front doors  

In your home  

  • check your smoke alarm weekly to make sure it works
  • keep candles in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire, like curtains
  • before emptying ashtrays make sure the contents are cold
  • avoid using portable and fixed space heaters
  • take care when charging lithium batteries such as those used for e-bikes and scooters. Do not block the exit with the charging batteries or e-bike and scooter
  • close your internal doors in your flat when you go to bed. If a fire does start, this will help it stop spreading
  • unplug any electrical appliances you're not using especially at night
  • don't leave cooking unattended especially when you’re cooking with hot oil or fat
  • avoid the use of paraffin heaters. If you have one make sure it meets the British Safety Regulation BS3300 and that it has a British Standard Institute kitemark
  • don't store gas, petrol or bottled gas or any flammable materials  

If you have a balcony 

  • do not use barbecues, wood burners or candles on balconies 
  • do not keep combustibles and flammable liquids such as gas cylinders, kerosene and fuel on balconies
  • do not drop cigarettes over balconies  

See keeping you safe in your home booklet (PDF 8.43MB) 

 

We’ll remove items left in communal areas   

We check the communal areas where you live regularly to make sure there are clear and safe. We’ll remove any items found and charge a fee for you to get them back.    

We'll usually give a warning before we remove an item. But if it’s high risk we’ll remove it straight away.   

Fire doors   

Fire doors restrict the spread of smoke and fire for a substantial period.  

You must make sure:  

  • fire doors are kept shut when not in use
  • residents and visitors do not tamper with doors or remove or damage self-closing devices
  • faults or damage to fire doors are reported immediately to your Housing Officer. Email housing.enquiries@redbridge.gov.uk or call 0208 518 2400  

You should not alter or change your flat front door without consent from us or your Housing Officer. 

 

Know what to do in a fire  

Wherever you live, you should know what to do in the event of a fire. Make sure everyone in the household knows the fire escape plan.   

If you live in a house   

You should leave immediately and call 999 for the fire brigade.  

If you live in a flat or maisonette  

There will be fire action notices in the communal areas of the property. This tells you and visitors what to do in the event of a fire.  

If you live in a block of flats   

The fire action notice will probably tell you to stay put in your home in the event that the fire is not in your flat or you’re not directly affected by smoke. This is because the building will contain individual fires within the home and give time for the fire brigade to attend. 

 

What we do to keep you safe  

We carry out fire risk assessments on all council-owned properties with a communal area.   

A fire risk assessment looks at:  

  • the safety of the property
  • any potential fire hazards
  • what we can do to improve fire safety 

How often we do this depends on the type of building and the level of risk. The highest risk buildings are checked once a year and the lowest risk checked every four years. 

Fire risk assessments 

You can view a fire risk assessment for any block of flats in Redbridge.  

The following assessments and checklists are intended as guides. Works could already be in progress to improve our buildings from a fire safety viewpoint.  

Tall blocks (over five storeys) 

Medium blocks (3-5 storeys)