HOME SAFETY AND SECURITY
FIRE PREVENTION
Fires can result from the slightest thing – dropped cigarette ends, sparks from fires and chip pans. To reduce the risk of fire in your home:-
● Keep matches out of reach of children.
● Put out all cigarette ends, especially at night.
● Close all doors at night.
● Unplug all appliances when not in use and do not overload sockets.
● Never leave chip pans on a cooker
● Work out your escape route if fire were to break out in your house.
● Never use a lift in the event of fire, escape should be made using the fire escape stairs.
SMOKE ALARMS
All Association properties are fitted with smoke alarms. It will give you an early warning by making a loud noise if fire breaks out. It could make all the difference to your family’s safety. You should never:
● Try to disconnect the alarm.
● Paint over it.
● Remove batteries.
Check your alarm at least once a month to make sure that it is working properly. You can do this by pressing and holding the test button until the alarm sounds. This may take up
to 10 seconds. When you press the button, the red light should flash continuously. The alarm should stop soon after you take your finger off the button. If you have a battery only smoke alarm you should renew the battery every year but you should also test your alarm once a month.
The smoke alarm may work off your electricity supply. It also has a battery for back up in case the power fails. Clean your smoke alarm regularly to keep dust off and maintain its efficiency. In the event of fire:-
● Get everyone out of the house.
● Call the Fire Brigade 999.
● Don’t try to be a hero and put the fire out yourself leave it to the Fire Brigade.
GAS
If you smell gas:-
● Switch of any working gas appliances.
● Put out cigarettes and do not light any matches.
● Do not use electrical switches.
● Open doors and windows to get rid of gas.
● Contact Transco 0800 111999.
● Phone the Association or the emergency number.
The Association will service any gas fires or central heating boilers in your house every year. It is essential that you allow the technicians access to do this work. If you have any gas appliances of your own e.g. a gas cooker then you should have it repaired and serviced by an approved tradesman. You must check that any tradesman is registered with CORGI, a body which approves only properly qualified and trained gas installers. If you want to install any gas appliance, you must first contact Linthouse Housing Association for permission. It is dangerous ( and can be illegal ) if you let unqualified person(s) fit, repair or service a gas appliance.
BURST PIPES
All pipes in the Association property are well insulated. However, in very cold spells they can freeze and burst, especially in empty houses. To prevent burst pipes you should keep your home as warm as you can. Remember also to switch off the water supply in your flat and drain down your hot water cylinder if you are leaving your home for any length of time. If you do have a burst pipe or any signs of flooding:-
● Turn off water at the stopcocks.
● Fully turn on all the taps as quickly as possible.
● Switch off the electricity supply at the fuse box (by the meter) if water comes into contact with any electrical fittings.
● Contact the Association.
● Warn any neighbour who might be affected by the burst pipe.
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be caused by faulty gas appliances. There is no obvious signs of carbon monoxide poisoning although symptoms may include tiredness, drowsiness, headaches and chest pains. To reduce the risk the Association regularly checks and maintains the gas appliances it has installed to ensure high safety standards. To prevent any further risk from carbon monoxide poisoning follow these instructions:-
● Never use a gas appliance if you think it is not working properly. Signs to look out for include yellow or orange flames, soot or stains around the appliance and pilot lights which frequently blow out.
● Never cover an appliance or block the vents.
● Never block outside flues.
If you have any doubts about the safety of your gas appliances contact the Maintenance Department immediately.
ELECTRICITY APPLIANCES AND SUPPLY
All modernised houses are fitted with Consumer Control Units (what used to be called a fuse box ), usually fitted close to the electricity meter. Instead of fuses your new unit is fitted with MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers) and ELCBs (Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers). MCB’s are similar to fuses but easier to operate. ELCBs are new devices designed to protect you against faulty equipment and electrical shocks.
What to do when the power has gone off
Situation 1
You have just plugged in an appliance and all the power has gone off.
● Unplug appliance.
● Reset ECLB and MCB (turn all switches to on).
● Power should come on again.
● Have your appliance checked by an electrician.
● If the power does not come on again go to situation 2
Situation 2
Your power has gone off but you do not know why
● Switch everything off (plugs, lights, cooker, water heater).
● Reset ELCB (and MCB) if required.
● Switch lights on one at a time.
● Switch plugs on one at a time.
If a light or appliance is faulty the power will go off again when this item is switched on, so:-
Switch it off. Reset ECLB (and MCB) if required.
Power should come on again.
If further problems arise contact the Housing Association.
DOOR SAFETY
Certain types of doors, particularly at common entrances to blocks of flats, are fitted with self- closing security doors. These are designed to ensure the doors remain closed when not in use. These doors should never be wedged open. The security of your home is at risk if controlled entrance doors are left open. As self-closing doors are potentially dangerous, young children should be discouraged from playing around them. Never attempt to adjust the self-closing mechanism. Please report any faulty or broken doors to the Association immediately.
SAFETY IN LIFTS
If you are in a building serviced by a lift, please remember these safety guidelines:-
● Always stand clear of the doors.
● Young children should be accompanied at all times.
● Don’t jam lift doors open.
● If the lift is faulty or had been vandalised, please inform your caretaker as soon as possible. If the caretaker is unavailable please contact the Association’s Offices.
● In the event of fire never use the lift to escape. Please evacuate the building by using the fire escape stairs.
FIRE PREVENTION
Fires can result from the slightest thing – dropped cigarette ends, sparks from fires and chip pans. To reduce the risk of fire in your home:-
● Keep matches out of reach of children.
● Put out all cigarette ends, especially at night.
● Close all doors at night.
● Unplug all appliances when not in use and do not overload sockets.
● Never leave chip pans on a cooker
● Work out your escape route if fire were to break out in your house.
● Never use a lift in the event of fire, escape should be made using the fire escape stairs.
SMOKE ALARMS
All Association properties are fitted with smoke alarms. It will give you an early warning by making a loud noise if fire breaks out. It could make all the difference to your family’s safety. You should never:
● Try to disconnect the alarm.
● Paint over it.
● Remove batteries.
Check your alarm at least once a month to make sure that it is working properly. You can do this by pressing and holding the test button until the alarm sounds. This may take up
to 10 seconds. When you press the button, the red light should flash continuously. The alarm should stop soon after you take your finger off the button. If you have a battery only smoke alarm you should renew the battery every year but you should also test your alarm once a month.
The smoke alarm may work off your electricity supply. It also has a battery for back up in case the power fails. Clean your smoke alarm regularly to keep dust off and maintain its efficiency. In the event of fire:-
● Get everyone out of the house.
● Call the Fire Brigade 999.
● Don’t try to be a hero and put the fire out yourself leave it to the Fire Brigade.
GAS
If you smell gas:-
● Switch of any working gas appliances.
● Put out cigarettes and do not light any matches.
● Do not use electrical switches.
● Open doors and windows to get rid of gas.
● Contact Transco 0800 111999.
● Phone the Association or the emergency number.
The Association will service any gas fires or central heating boilers in your house every year. It is essential that you allow the technicians access to do this work. If you have any gas appliances of your own e.g. a gas cooker then you should have it repaired and serviced by an approved tradesman. You must check that any tradesman is registered with CORGI, a body which approves only properly qualified and trained gas installers. If you want to install any gas appliance, you must first contact Linthouse Housing Association for permission. It is dangerous ( and can be illegal ) if you let unqualified person(s) fit, repair or service a gas appliance.
BURST PIPES
All pipes in the Association property are well insulated. However, in very cold spells they can freeze and burst, especially in empty houses. To prevent burst pipes you should keep your home as warm as you can. Remember also to switch off the water supply in your flat and drain down your hot water cylinder if you are leaving your home for any length of time. If you do have a burst pipe or any signs of flooding:-
● Turn off water at the stopcocks.
● Fully turn on all the taps as quickly as possible.
● Switch off the electricity supply at the fuse box (by the meter) if water comes into contact with any electrical fittings.
● Contact the Association.
● Warn any neighbour who might be affected by the burst pipe.
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be caused by faulty gas appliances. There is no obvious signs of carbon monoxide poisoning although symptoms may include tiredness, drowsiness, headaches and chest pains. To reduce the risk the Association regularly checks and maintains the gas appliances it has installed to ensure high safety standards. To prevent any further risk from carbon monoxide poisoning follow these instructions:-
● Never use a gas appliance if you think it is not working properly. Signs to look out for include yellow or orange flames, soot or stains around the appliance and pilot lights which frequently blow out.
● Never cover an appliance or block the vents.
● Never block outside flues.
If you have any doubts about the safety of your gas appliances contact the Maintenance Department immediately.
ELECTRICITY APPLIANCES AND SUPPLY
All modernised houses are fitted with Consumer Control Units (what used to be called a fuse box ), usually fitted close to the electricity meter. Instead of fuses your new unit is fitted with MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers) and ELCBs (Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers). MCB’s are similar to fuses but easier to operate. ELCBs are new devices designed to protect you against faulty equipment and electrical shocks.
What to do when the power has gone off
Situation 1
You have just plugged in an appliance and all the power has gone off.
● Unplug appliance.
● Reset ECLB and MCB (turn all switches to on).
● Power should come on again.
● Have your appliance checked by an electrician.
● If the power does not come on again go to situation 2
Situation 2
Your power has gone off but you do not know why
● Switch everything off (plugs, lights, cooker, water heater).
● Reset ELCB (and MCB) if required.
● Switch lights on one at a time.
● Switch plugs on one at a time.
If a light or appliance is faulty the power will go off again when this item is switched on, so:-
Switch it off. Reset ECLB (and MCB) if required.
Power should come on again.
If further problems arise contact the Housing Association.
DOOR SAFETY
Certain types of doors, particularly at common entrances to blocks of flats, are fitted with self- closing security doors. These are designed to ensure the doors remain closed when not in use. These doors should never be wedged open. The security of your home is at risk if controlled entrance doors are left open. As self-closing doors are potentially dangerous, young children should be discouraged from playing around them. Never attempt to adjust the self-closing mechanism. Please report any faulty or broken doors to the Association immediately.
SAFETY IN LIFTS
If you are in a building serviced by a lift, please remember these safety guidelines:-
● Always stand clear of the doors.
● Young children should be accompanied at all times.
● Don’t jam lift doors open.
● If the lift is faulty or had been vandalised, please inform your caretaker as soon as possible. If the caretaker is unavailable please contact the Association’s Offices.
● In the event of fire never use the lift to escape. Please evacuate the building by using the fire escape stairs.
