Vulnerabilities which may prevent you or your household evacuating
It is vital that we know which residents would need help in the event of an emergency. We need up-to-date information about any changes to your health and/or mobility which could prevent you from self-evacuating from your home or building in the unlikely event of an emergency situation.
Although we ask all new tenants to tell us this information, your circumstances may have changed over the course of your tenancy, making you vulnerable in an emergency. Or someone in your household may have difficultly self-evacuating. Please ensure any changes to your circumstances are known to us. This will help us to assess any additional measures that we can take to ensure you have the right equipment in your home to alert you if there is a fire.
Hoarding
Hoarders keep and collect excessive quantities of items that may have little or no monetary value such as newspapers, junk mail or carrier bags. This can pose a very serious fire risk and block exits in the event of a emergency.
Hoarded materials can easily catch fire if they come into contact with heat sources such as overloaded extension leads, the kitchen hob or naked flames like candles or cigarettes. Because of the amount of possessions, fires will also spread much faster. Hoarding can put the individual and people within the building at risk.
Hoarding can be a sign of an underlying condition such as depression or anxiety. We are working with community services to help residents that hoard large amounts of items.
If you or someone you know is at risk of the consequences of hoarding, please contact your neighborhood housing officer who will be able to provide support and advice.