Fire Safety

Smoke alarms in your home

Every home has smoke alarms in the hallway and on each landing. You should test yours once a week.

To test it, press and hold the button for 3 seconds. The alarm should sound loudly for a few seconds and then stop. This means it’s working.

Never remove the batteries. If your alarm sounds weak, beeps regularly, or doesn’t work, call us on 03000 110011. We’ll replace your alarm if needed.

We also test your alarms during your yearly gas check, and every five years as part of your electrical check.

If you live in sheltered housing or an extra care scheme, test your alarm weekly too. We’ll also check it during our safety visits. If there’s a problem, tell your Scheme Manager.

Heat alarms in the kitchen

Every kitchen has a heat alarm. We test them during your yearly gas check and every five years as part of your electrical check.

Fire alarms in shared areas

If your building has shared spaces, fire alarms are fitted there. We test them every week and service them every six months. Please don’t test these alarms yourself, as you could set off the whole building’s alarm.

Fire Risk Assessments

We check the fire safety of shared buildings once a year. If we find problems, we make sure they are fixed. You can ask to see the latest report or get an update by calling 03000 110011.

QR fire posters

If you live in a flat with shared areas, look for the QR code poster near the main entrance. Scanning it with your phone or tablet gives you fire safety information, your evacuation plan, and more. If you can’t access it, contact Customer Services for help.

Fire doors

Your front door is a fire door. It is built to hold back smoke, heat, and flames for at least 30 minutes. To do this, it must be kept in good condition.

Fire doors close by themselves and have special seals and hinges. These stop fire and smoke from spreading.

Do not add locks, drill holes, or remove any parts. If the door is damaged or does not close properly, tell us straight away on 03000 110011 or email Customer.Services@northstarhg.co.uk.

Your responsibility

North Star looks after shared areas, but you are responsible for fire safety inside your home. This means:

• testing your smoke and heat alarms every week

• reporting faults quickly

• keeping hallways, stairs and corridors clear

• storing and charging mobility scooters only in safe areas

• not changing or damaging your fire door

• not storing flammable items indoors (like gas bottles or barbecues)

Please also let us know if you store oxygen in your home, so we can update our records.

If you are unsure about anything, ask us for advice. If you have extra needs that could affect your safety in a fire, we can make a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) with you.