People 1st (Slough) is continuing to take action against the serious threat posed by tenants blocking emergency exits in its campaign Hot Blocks, after removing three tonnes of rubbish over a two day period.
In the aftermath of last years tragedy in Camberwell, London, fire safety in Slough flats is of the utmost concern.
The Slough awareness campaign has been ongoing throughout last year, underlining the collective responsibility of tenants. It climaxed in the summer with a joint exercise involving Thames Valley Police, Community Wardens and the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service in addition to the Estate Services team, highlighting the great danger of people discarding unwanted items in corridors and other communal areas.
Blocking emergency exits represents an extremely serious and totally avoidable threat to the safety of Slough residents. The thoughtless behaviour of some tenants puts the majority at risk.
In December last year, estate services officers carried out a number of visits to flats in Maryside, Minster Way and Barchester Road, Langley, after the tenants received warning notices advising them items found in corridors and communal areas would be removed.
People 1st Slough estate services manger, Mario Muir, said, “It is absolutely vital that all residents fully appreciate the life threatening danger posed by fires in flats. Every tenant signs an agreement that requires them to behave responsibly and not store or dispose of unwanted items in thoughtless and potentially dangerous ways.
“We want to work with residents to make homes safer. It’s simply unacceptable that the behaviour of some could put the lives of dozens at risk.”
Mario also thanked the Slough residents who commented on the work carried out by his team. He added ‘the support in the main was fantastic’ and that they’d learned a lot from the exercise.
Commissioner for Slough neighbourhoods and renewal, Cllr James Swindlehurst, added: “We are committed to the safety of residents in Slough and its essential tenants do not block exits in flats with rubbish or household goods. This is a matter of resident’s safety and we cannot afford to be complacent, clear exits could be the difference between getting out safely in a fire and not.”
Slough Borough Council
