Smoking remains one of the leading causes of deadly house fires in the UK. With a few simple steps, you can help protect yourself, your loved ones, and your home.

Did you know?

• Smoking materials (like cigarettes, cigars and pipes) are the leading cause of fire-related deaths in UK homes.
• In England alone, more than 1,800 smoking-related house fires are reported each year.
• These fires result in over 80 deaths annually and hundreds of injuries.
• Many of these fires are caused by falling asleep while smoking or improper disposal of smoking materials.

We know quitting isn’t easy, but if you do smoke, here’s how to reduce the risk of fire in your home:

• Smoke outside whenever possible. It’s safer and reduces indoor fire risks.
• Never smoke in bed. It’s far too easy to fall asleep and start a fire.
• Use a proper ashtray. Heavy, non-tip ashtrays are safest. Never use a bin.
• Fully extinguish cigarettes. Make sure they’re completely out before you walk away.
• Keep smoking materials out of reach. Especially if there are children or pets in the home.
• Don’t smoke when drowsy, drinking, or on medication. It increases the chance of accidents.

What about vaping?

While vaping is often used as a tool to stop smoking, it is not without fire risks. Most vape-related fires are caused by battery misuse or faulty charging.

• Dispose of vapes and batteries safely, never in general waste or recycling bins
• Use the correct charger for your device. Never mix brands.
• Don’t charge your vape overnight or unattended.
• Only buy vapes from reputable retailers that meet UK safety standards.
• Avoid storing loose batteries in pockets or bags. They can overheat and cause fires.

Electrical appliances are a big part of everyday life, but if they’re not used safely, they can increase the risk of fire. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to help keep your home and family safe.

• Don’t overload sockets. Too many plugs in one outlet can cause overheating.
• Switch off appliances when you’re not using them, especially at night or when you go out.
• Check cables regularly. If they’re frayed, damaged or overheating, replace them straight away.
• Always use electrical items as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use the right chargers. Always use the correct charger for your device, and avoid cheap or unbranded versions.
• Give appliances space. Items like tumble dryers, heaters and fridges need good ventilation to stop them from over heating.
• Do not store or charge mobility scooters on escape routes or in communal areas. If there’s a fire, it can affect people’s ability to escape.

We carry out regular electrical checks in our homes to make sure everything is safe. If you ever have concerns about theelectrics in your home, please contact us so we can take a look.By following these tips, you can help reduce the risk of fire and enjoy peace of mind that your home is safe

Some of our homes were built at a time when asbestos was commonly used in building materials. While this might sound worrying, asbestos is not a risk if it is in good condition and left undisturbed.

Problems only occur if it becomes damaged or is disturbed in a way that releases fibres into the air.

We take asbestos safety very seriously. We keep a record of where asbestos is present in our homes and carry out regular inspections to make sure it remains safe. If removal or repairs are needed, we follow strict safety procedures.

As a resident, the best thing you can do is avoid drilling, sanding, or cutting into materials that may contain asbestos. If you’re planning home improvements it is important that you ask us for permission before you start any work so that we can review your latest asbestos survey.

If you notice any damage to walls, ceilings, or flooring that you think could contain asbestos, please get in touch with us as soon as you can so we can get this looked at.

Call our team on 0300 3300 900, choosing options 2, 5 and2 or dialling extension number 7325 when prompted. You can find more information about asbestos on The Health and Safety Executive website.