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⚠️ Your autumn health and safety update ⚠️

17th October 2024
Autumn Building Safety Bannerv2

Stay safe as the nights draw in and the temperature drops

As we move into autumn and winter, here’s a reminder of some important fire safety advice to help you and your family stay safe.

  • Keep fire doors closed. They provide vital protection in the event of a fire and are there to keep you safe. If you see a fire door wedged open in your building, please close it immediately.
  • Keep fire pits, chimineas and outside heaters off balconies - these should never be used.
  • Keep plug sockets clear – don’t overload sockets or extension cables.
  • Keep candles and matches out of reach of children and never leave a candle unattended.
  • Get electric blankets checked by an expert at least every three years and never use an electric blanket and a hot water bottle together.
  • Keep electric heaters and fires away from curtains and never use them to dry clothes. Always turn them off when you are not with them.

Important information and advice around electric scooters

Here’s a reminder of some important advice to help keep you and your home safe if you use e-scooters or bikes which have lithium-ion batteries

Advice for storing and charging

  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and always use one of their approved chargers. 

  • Unplug your charger when the battery is full – be careful not to overcharge. 

  • Stay with the battery when it’s charging – don’t leave them on when you’re asleep or away from home. 

  • Keep battery packs clear when charging – covering them could cause overheating and lead to a fire. 

  • Charge it in a safe place away from anything combustible or flammable.
  • Charge it in a room where you could close the door on it in the event of a fire and never charge within a communal area where it could block fire exits or escape routes. 

  • Regularly check your battery for any signs of damage and replace if you find any. Damaged batteries can overheat more easily and could cause a fire. 

  • If you need to dispose of an old battery, check if the manufacturer offers a recycling service. If not, take it to your local recycling plant – don’t put in with the household rubbish as it could cause a fire in the bin lorry or within the household waste centre. 

  • Store e-bikes and scooters and batteries in a cool place – avoid anywhere too hot or too cold.
  • In the event of an electric bike/scooter or lithium-ion battery fire – do not attempt to extinguish the fire. Get out, stay out, call 999.

 

To watch our series of fire safety video clips, produced in partnership with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service