Fire safety
Your safety comes first. If there’s a fire in your building, knowing what to do — and when to stay put — can save lives.
What to do in a fire
If the fire isn’t in your flat, stay where you are unless the fire service tells you to leave
If the fire is in your flat or nearby, leave safely and raise the alarm
Every building has a 'Stay Put' fire action notice in the communal areas. Take a moment to read yours and make sure everyone in your household knows what to do.
Reporting a fire
If it’s an emergency:
Call 999 immediately. Follow the operator’s instructions and stay on the line until help arrives.
See if your local fire service can help out. You can also report fire safety concerns to our team at any time.
Safety starts with you
Fire safety is a shared responsibility — and small actions make a big difference.
Personal items left in shared spaces can block escape routes and increase fire risk.
Don’t leave doormats, shoes, decorations, pushchairs, or bikes in corridors or stairwells
Keep hallways, landings and entrances completely clear
If we find items, we’ll issue a TORT notice giving seven days to remove them before disposal
Bin areas can be a fire hazard if not used properly.
Always bag and tie your rubbish securely
Don’t leave loose items or flammable materials outside the bins
Report overflowing bins or damaged containers to us
Arrange bulk waste collections with your local council
Smoking and e-cigarettes need extra care.
Smoke outside and use ashtrays or sand buckets
Never smoke in bed or when you’re tired
Only use the charger that came with your vape — and never leave it charging overnight
Smoke and heat detectors save lives — but only if they work.
Test your alarms once a month
If yours runs on batteries, check them yearly
If you spot a fault in a communal alarm, report it via the portal or call us
Fire doors help contain fire and smoke, giving you time to get out safely.
Keep them shut when not in use
Don’t prop them open or tamper with them
Report any damage or faults
Electric bikes, scooters and mobility scooters must not be kept or charged in communal areas.
• Follow manufacturer instructions when charging
• Never leave batteries or chargers unattended or covered
Our responsibilities
Here’s what we do to help keep you safe:
Share clear advice on what to do if there’s a fire
Provide information about fire doors and safety measures in your building
Inspect a sample of fire doors during regular fire risk assessments
Review communal fire doors during estate visits, schedule communal repairs, and respond to any issues you report
Keep records of all fire doors (in buildings owned and managed by us) and make sure they meet safety standards
If you live in a building owned and managed by a third-party (where Sparrow is the freeholder) we rely on the manager to share key safety documents. We will always support you in raising concerns.