Not Just Doormats

One of our customers found this article and emailed it to us. What a ridiculous ban! Of course you have to be careful to ensure that your doormats don’t cause a tripping hazard, but banning doormats is really pretty silly. What next banning coffee tables as you might trip over that as well in case of a fire?

Here is an excerpt from Telegraph.co.uk:

Council officials claim that if people have to evacuate the properties in the event of a fire they could trip over the obstacles.

Annette Ball, a grandmother who lives at Port Vale Court, said the rules were ridiculous.

She said: “We’ve tried to make our porches homely, but we’re not even allowed to have a picture on the wall.

“We are going to officially appealing against these new rules.”

The fire regulations came in a year ago, but the latest inspection by Stoke City Council left them with a number of concerns.

John Daniels, the council cabinet member for housing and neighbourhood services, defended the decision.

He said: “Fire regulations that apply to places like Port Vale Court are becoming more stringent every year.

“Our most recent inspection of these premises showed that items such as pot plants and carpets in the foyers did not comply so we have asked for these items to be removed to make the building safer.”

Fiona McEvoy, spokesman for council and taxpayer watchdog the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said she could not believe the ban.

She said: “Councils should concern themselves with providing vital public services rather than interfering with the lives of good, honest people.

“Public money should be spent on thins we really need, not bizarre health and safety whims.”