Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility.

We work in partnership with West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and other fire specialists to make sure we have high standards of fire safety. We carry out regular fire risk assessments where required and follow up any actions from those assessments.

What we do:

• Maintain and regularly test fire alarms, smoke detectors, and emergency lighting
• Inspect and service fire doors and fire-fighting equipment
• Carry out fire risk assessments
• Clearly display emergency instructions and evacuation routes in shared spaces
• Provide regular updates and guidance to help you stay informed

What you can do:

• Keep corridors, stairwells and exits clear, these are vital escape routes
• Never wedge open fire doors, they are designed to stop smoke and flames from spreading
• Know the fire evacuation or stay put policy for your building and share it with other people who live with you
• Test your smoke alarms regularly
• Report any damaged safety equipment or signs

You can also take a look through our guide to fire doors for more tips to help you stay safe:

Fire and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors

At the start of your tenancy, we check your home has a working smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detector to keep your home safe and meet regulations.

What we do:

• Fit smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in line with legal requirements
• Replace or repair faulty, missing or expired detectors
• Respond when sealed batteries expire or alarm stops working
• Carry out checks at the start of tenancies and during inspections of your home

What you can do:

• Test your detectors regularly by pressing the test button
• Never remove or disable alarms, they are there for your safety
• Report any detector that is beeping, broken or missing
• Keep vents and flues clear and let us know if you spot signs of damage

Keeping communal areas safe

We want to keep you and your neighbours safe and can only do this with your help. The Fire and Rescue Service say that storing belongings in shared areas can be a real risk for everyone – it could stop you getting to safety in an emergency or stop firefighters from doing their job.

It’s important we all do what we can to prevent hazards, which is why we have a zero-tolerance approach to items left in communal or shared areas.

What we do:

• Regular inspections: We carry out regular inspections of all shared areas to check they’re free from fire hazardous and obstructions
• Maintenance: We’re responsible for maintaining shared areas and emergency lighting

What you can do:

• Keep escape routes clear: Don’t store any personal items in the shared areas. This includes doormats, shoes, buggies, bikes, furniture, or rubbish bags. These items can block your escape route and fuel a fire
• Don’t wedge fire doors: Never wedge or prop open a fire door. They’re designed to prevent the spread of a fire and smoke
• No smoking: You’re not allowed to smoke in any communal areas, as it poses a significant fire risk

If you see rubbish or bulky items dumped in a shared area, a damaged fire door, or any other hazard, please tell us straight away.