Health and safety in your home

We are committed to ensuring that all our properties are maintained to a high level of safety for all those who live in them or visit.
 

What you need to do

If you live in one of our properties you also have a responsibility to look after your own safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do.

Safety advice

To ensure that you remain safe, we ask that you remember to:

• regularly check your living area for hazards that may cause you to trip or fall
• take great care when cooking, remembering never to leave the cooker unattended
• make sure all your electrical appliances are in good repair and avoid the use of adaptors and extension leads
• check if there is a fire alarm in your property and make sure you understand and follow the evacuation procedure, including how to sound the alarm

Fire safety

As your landlord we are responsible for carrying out regular fire safety checks in the communal areas of buildings. We take fire safety very seriously.

Make sure that:

• your property has a smoke alarm in place and that you test these alarms regularly
•  if the smoke alarm is battery-operated, you should replace them at least annually

⚠ If you discover a fire, leave the building and call the fire service.

Fire safety in flats

The communal passageways and stairways form part of the escape routes for everyone in your block.

⚠ If you discover a fire, leave the building and call the fire service.

Make sure that:

• all corridors, lobbies, doorways and stairwells are kept completely clear of private belongings, combustible materials and waste of any kind
• you report items blocking exits and your route of escape to the Housing team
•  you never wedge open fire doors - these are designed to close behind you and can slow the spread of smoke and fire
• if you replace any doors to your flat you ask us first - internal doors in flats must not be removed

We may remove items that have been left in communal areas without notice to maintain a safe environment.

Our fire safety guide for council owned flats has been produced specifically for the blocks of flats owned by the council and is based on the fire safety risk assessments carried out on each building.

If you find something that you consider to be dangerous, including within the communal areas of the property, report it to us.

Gas and boilers

We have a duty under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 to arrange maintenance by a
Gas Safe registered engineer for all pipework, appliances and flues.

We will carry out an annual Gas Safety Check and service in your home, performed by a qualified gas safe registered engineer. We'll give you a copy of the check report within 28 days.

Gas Safety Check appointments

Dodd Group Ltd are working on behalf us to maintain your heating and hot water systems. Dodd Group carry out annual services, safety checks and emergency repairs.

You must allow access to your property by a service engineer. If you regularly refuse access to your property, your services may be disconnected and your tenancy could be at risk.

Oil

We have a duty of care to ensure that tenants who have oil-fuelled boilers have their boilers serviced on an annual basis to ensure safety and efficiency in their use.

Carbon monoxide

It cannot be seen or smelt but it can kill in a matter of hours.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, drowsiness, nausea, breathlessness or stomach pains. Signs are hard to spot and can be confused with tiredness or a cold.

Stopcocks and fuse boxes

When dealing with repairs, we often mention items such as stopcocks and fuse boxes. It's useful if you know where these are in your property. This can help us respond quickly when you report an emergency.

Water

Legionella is a bacteria that can make people ill if it gets into water supplies.

As your landlord we are to required check for Legionella in some of our buildings, as part of regular checks to ensure water systems are clean and safe to use.

Condensation

Condensation is a common problem in properties of all types and ages. It can contribute to the creation of black spot mould.

Condensation can also be present where there is no noticeable mould growth, such as in roof spaces and sub-floor voids. This may lead to more moisture within structural timbers, making them vulnerable to fungal attack. Find out how to reduce condensation in your home.

Damp and mould

Penetrating damp, or moisture penetration, is caused by water leaking through walls, rather than rising up through them. This is more common in older properties without cavity walls.

Problems with damp can be a serious concern in any home and it can indicate structural or weatherproofing issues.

If you are a district council tenant and you notice damp or mould in your home, please call us to report it straightaway, so we can come and inspect your home.

Checks you can do

We suggest you remember the following points:

• Keep floors and floor coverings in good condition
• Replace all lightbulbs at once and use lights when it is gloomy
• Keep stairs well lit for your own safety
• Use non-slip polishes and non-slip mats
• Use safe household stepladders when you need to
• Do not put mirrors above fires
• Keep children away from cookers and turn pan handles away from the front of the cooker
• Keep all medicines and cleaning materials out of children's reach
• Keep children away from electrical sockets and use safety covers on sockets when you are not using them
• Do not leave matches or lighters around where there are young children
• Make sure that plugs are wired correctly and that the correct fuses are fitted and working
• Avoid long flexes and replace worn flexes immediately
• Do not have too many items plugged into one socket
• Never touch plugs, switches or electrical equipment if you have wet hands
• Take care if lighting candles
• Ensure you have suitable fireguards for both open and enclosed fires
• Ensure you have adequate smoke detectors and check the batteries on a regular basis
• Remember to fit safety locks on windows and cupboards