Our Head of Building Safety Alex shares his tips on how to stay safe in your home

As your Head of Building Safety, I want to take a moment to talk about something that’s really important for keeping you and your loved ones safe: fire safety. Specifically, I want to share what you should do if you ever smell something burning in your home.

This isn’t meant to alarm you – it’s all about being prepared, staying calm, and knowing what steps to take to protect yourself and your household:

We’ve all experienced it – catching a whiff of something burning, like toast left in the toaster a bit too long. But what if the smell doesn’t seem to have an obvious source?

Here’s what you should do:

• Stay calm, but don’t ignore it. If you smell burning and can’t figure out where it’s coming from, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
• Dial 999 immediately. Even if it turns out to be nothing, it’s better to alert the fire services than risk a small issue turning into something more serious.
• Don’t delay. Every second counts in preventing a fire from spreading, so if you’re unsure, err on the side of caution and make the call.

Remember, fire crews are here to help, and they’d much rather respond to a false alarm than face a serious emergency later on.

Why an evacuation plan is a must

While we hope you’ll never need to use it, having an evacuation plan in place can make all the difference in an emergency. Here’s how to create one that works for everyone in your home:

1. Identify your escape routes
   Walk through your home and map out the quickest ways to exit safely, whether that’s through the front door, a back door, or an alternative route. Make sure everyone in your household knows these routes well.
2. Practice makes perfect
   Just like fire drills at school or work, practicing your escape plan can help you feel confident during an emergency. It’s especially helpful for children, who might feel less anxious if they know what to expect.
3. Keep exits clear
   Ensure that hallways, doorways, and windows are free from clutter that could slow you down during an evacuation.
4. Know where your keys are
   Keep keys to doors and windows in a spot that’s easy to access, and make sure everyone knows where to find them.
5. Plan for everyone’s needs
   If you live with young children, elderly relatives, or pets, think about how you’ll help them get out safely. Assign someone to assist if needed.
6. Set a meeting point
   Choose a safe spot outside your building where everyone will gather once they’ve evacuated. This will help you quickly account for everyone and alert emergency services if someone is missing.
7. Test your smoke alarms You lose your sense of smell while you are asleep so make sure you have working smoke detectors.

You can find out more about escape plans here Escape plan – West Midlands Fire Service