Fire safety

Fire safety is a priority for Salix Homes, and we work closely with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to help minimise the risk and impact of fire in our properties.

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.

Who is responsible for fire safety?

Everyone has a part to play in keeping our customers and our homes safe.

If your home has communal areas, such as in a flat or sheltered accommodation, Salix Homes will maintain those areas to ensure we achieve the highest levels of safety. We carry out regular safety audits on communal spaces.

As a tenant, you must live and behave in a way that does not increase the risk of fire or damage to your home or building.

• Do not carry out any unauthorised DIY jobs or alterations to your home
• Make sure you remove any waste from your property in the correct manner
• Allow access for Salix Homes staff to your home, as required under the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Act
• Report anything you see that could pose a danger to fire or building structural safety, such as damaged or broken fire detection systems or sprinklers
• Keep communal areas free of any personal items or belongings
• Follow all the conditions of your tenancy agreement
• Let us know if someone else moves in to your home
• Tell us if you or a member of your household become unable to evacuate your building unaided

What to do if there’s a fire in your home

If you live in a high rise block or communal building, some of this advice may vary, so please refer to the separate High-rise fire safety information.

• If there is a fire in your home – get out, stay out and call 999 – don’t try to tackle the fire yourself, and never go back into a burning building.
• Keep calm and act quickly – alert everyone in your home and get out by your nearest exit, staying together where possible.
  Seconds count so don’t waste time rescuing valuables.
• Before opening a door, check it first by using the back of your hand. If it’s warm, don’t open it.
• When moving through your home, remember to shut doors behind you to help contain the fire.

What to do if your escape route is blocked

If your escape route is blocked and you can’t escape safely through a window, call 999 and find a room to wait in until the fire service arrive.

• Open a window in the room and put cushions and bedding around the bottom of the door to block out the smoke.
• If smoke starts to come into the room – keep low to the floor as this is where the air is cleaner.

Once you’ve escaped

Don’t go back inside your home, even if there is someone left inside. Wait for the fire service, and when they arrive, give them as much information as possible.