We’re pleased to introduce Sharon Parkes, who has recently joined us as our new Health & Safety Manager.
Sharon brings a wealth of experience, with over a decade working across housing, construction, consultancy and facilities management. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CFIOSH) and is passionate about creating strong safety cultures, making sure everyone feels supported, and keeping our customers, colleagues and communities safe.
Since joining, Sharon has already been getting out and about, meeting customers and teams, and gaining a real understanding of our homes and communities. She’s hit the ground running, attending two Customer Focus Groups to hear directly from residents, carrying out scheme walkabouts with our Neighbourhood Team, spending time out on site with Property Surveyors, and meeting with customers in one of our villages to provide fire safety advice and support.
Sharon is passionate about being visible, listening to customers, and making sure safety is at the heart of everything we do.
Keeping yourself safe: fire safety at home
This month, Sharon is focusing on fire safety and sharing some simple but important advice to help keep you and your family safe.
Fires can start quickly and spread in minutes, but many are preventable. Many home fires begin through everyday activities such as cooking left unattended, faulty or overloaded electrical sockets, candles or smoking materials, or heaters placed too close to furniture. Being aware of these risks is the first step to staying safe.
There are some simple steps you can take to protect your home. Never leave cooking unattended, especially when frying, and avoid overloading plug sockets. Make sure appliances are turned off when not in use and keep heaters well away from furniture, curtains and clothing. Always blow out candles before leaving a room or going to bed, and take care with smoking materials, never smoke in bed.
Smoke alarms save lives, so it’s important to test them weekly, change batteries when needed, and never remove or cover them. If your alarm isn’t working, please report it to us straight away so we can put it right.
If you live in a flat or building with communal areas, it’s especially important to keep corridors and exits clear at all times and never store items in these spaces. Fire doors should always be kept closed and never wedged open, and you should make sure you understand your building’s fire safety advice, such as whether to stay put or evacuate in an emergency.
It’s also important to plan your escape in advance. Make sure everyone in your home knows how to get out quickly, keep keys easy to find, and think about a backup route in case your main exit is blocked. Always follow the Fire Action Notice for your building.
We play an important role in fire safety, including maintaining alarms, fire doors and communal areas, but safety is a shared responsibility. By following this advice and reporting any concerns, you’re helping to protect not just your home, but your neighbours and your wider community.
If you notice a fire risk or have any concerns, please contact us straight away by calling 01782 744533.
