Keeping your home safe
Fire Safety
- You should ensure that hallways and exits in your home are clear and allow easy access.
- If you live in a flat you should keep the communal space clear, this includes under stair wells. Our Neighbourhood Wardens may contact you directly if we need your co-operation to keep these areas clear and safe from tripping or fire hazards.
- Advice on fire safety in flats
Asbestos
- Asbestos is a building material that was used widely in homes built between the 1950s and the 1980s. Left undamaged, asbestos is not generally dangerous but when it is disturbed, for example by drilling or sanding, it can be harmful. If inhaled in high concentrations over a long period of time, it can cause serious illness.
- Where we have information about asbestos in our properties we will inform the tenants, usually as part of their sign up pack.
- If you are not sure if you have asbestos in your home, or of how to act if we have informed you where it is, please do not hesitate to contact us.
- Asbestos can be difficult to identify, but if you are concerned and need advice before you undertake any 'do-it-yourself' jobs please contact us on: 01827 715341.
Gas Safety
Gas is a safe fuel when used correctly and treated with respect.
Tenants are asked to:
- Let our engineers into their homes to carry out our annual safety checks.
- Report any problems with appliances at once to the Council office on 01827 715341.
- Report any gas leaks - contact the National Grid Emergency Line on 0800 111 999 immediately.
- Be cautious about buying second-hand gas appliances, and always buy from a very reputable company.
- Not reduce or block the ventilation to gas appliances.
- Not block gas fuels or chimneys taking any poisonous fumes away from gas appliances.
- Not carry out any 'do-it-yourself' work to install or repair gas appliances - this is dangerous, and you could also be breaking the law.
For more information about gas safety, visit the Gas Safety website. The Gas Safety Register is the official gas registration body for the UK, Isle of Man and Guernsey, appointed by the relevant Health and Safety Authority for each area. By law all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register.