Safety

Here are ways to protect you and your family in and around your home.

Asbestos

Remember that asbestos is nearly always contained or covered by other materials and is safe unless damaged or broken. When doing DIY it is important to remember:

  • Do not drill, cut into, sand or scrape anything you think may contain asbestos when you are carrying out any home improvement, repairs or DIY
  • Always soak wallpaper before removing. If possible, use a steam stripper and then gently peel away the paper before redecorating
  • Do not try to remove textured coatings (Artex) from ceilings. Wash any area of flaking paint with sugar soap before repainting
  • Do not try to remove old floor tiles or linoleum. Leave them in place and lay new floor coverings over them

If you suspect that materials containing asbestos have been damaged please contact your local area housing office.

Leaseholders are responsible for repairing and maintaining their own properties, including any materials that may contain asbestos.

Electrical safety

Did you know that around ten per cent of domestic fires are caused by electrical faults? There are over 2,000 electrical shock accidents every year. Looking after electrical equipment is vital. Just because something works does not mean it is safe.

You are required to obtain permission before carrying out any works to the electrical installations in your home. Your estate office will require confirmation that any electrical works are carried out by a competent person.

Any company or person carrying out works on the electrical installation should be registered with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC). Form more information on electrical safety in domestic households go to the NICEIC website.

Fire safety

United Residents Housing completed a programme to have all of our communal areas assessed for fire safety.

The safety of our residents is one of United Residents Housing's key priorities which is why we have worked in partnership with London Fire Brigade (LFB) and Lambeth Council to create a robust programme of fire safety measures. Lambeth Council's housing stock is larger than most other London boroughs and since March 2010 all blocks of six storeys and over have a valid fire risk assessment (FRA).

  1. Make sure you have at least one working smoke detector in your home, ideally situated on the ceiling outside the kitchen. If not phone the London Fire Brigade on 0800 028 4428 for a free smoke alarm
  2. Keep matches, lighters and similar items out of children's reach at all times
  3. Be aware of a fire escape plan and what to do in the event of a fire
  4. Electric fires need to be kept in a working order and kept clear of clothing, furniture, newspapers etc.
  5. Always keep flammable liquids in suitable containers, in a safe place and away from any heat source
  6. Avoid overloading electrical sockets and circuits
  7. Candles need to be used safely at all times and kept away from furnishings, curtains and combustible matter
  8. Extinguish smoking materials fully

Gas portable heaters, barbecues or any gas cylinder devices should not be used in any council property (including balconies) as this is both a fire and explosion hazard. Please refer to your tenant or leaseholder handbook for more information.

Keeping fire escape routes clear

United Residents Housing is committed to raising standards across all its estates, in order to make them safer and better places for you to live. We want to work with you in creating estates and communities where people feel safe and can feel proud of.

Ensuring fire escape routes are clear is an essential part of keeping you safe. We want to make sure that, if there is a fire, the fire brigade will be able to reach your property without obstacles in the way. This is why it is important that communal areas like corridors, walkways and exit doors are kept clear. Also, exit routes need to be kept clear so that residents can exit the building quickly and safely if needed.

Gas safety

If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak call the National Grid Gas Emergency free phone number on 0800 111 999.

For tenants

Gas appliances must be serviced annually. If they are in poor condition they can be dangerous.
Where we have fitted a gas fire or gas hot water system your service contractor will arrange to inspect and service each item every year and provide you with a copy of the annual gas check certificate (also known as a CP12).

It is very important that this is carried out. The gas servicing contractor will inform you when your inspection is due and will make an appointment with you.

We may take legal action against those people who don't let us in to do the annual gas servicing work because this is a breach of your tenancy agreement.

If you think that a gas appliance in your home is unsafe, tell your housing officer immediately or if the office is closed, contact the out-of-hours emergency service on 020 7926 6000.

For leaseholders

Unless gas appliances are serviced annually they can become dangerous and can kill.
If your gas appliance has not been checked for 12 months it may be unsafe and you may also be in breach of your lease. You must have it inspected and serviced annually by a Gas Safe Register approved installer.

You must also be able to produce proof of the inspection and service to United Residents Housing at any time. We may also carry out random sample checks to ensure this requirement is carried out.

Leaseholders are required to arrange their own gas safety checks. If you rent your home and you do not have a valid annual gas certificate and a gas incident occurs you will be prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive.

Every year people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances that have not been properly installed or maintained. Carbon monoxide is invisible and has no smell or taste and can kill without warning in just a matter of hours.

Under the terms and conditions of your lease, you are responsible for having your independent gas heating and gas hot water systems inspected and serviced annually by an approved contractor. This responsibility also includes any flues that exclusively serve your appliances.

Are you subletting your home? If the answer is yes then you are a Landlord.

Landlords have special legal responsibilities to their tenants when it comes to gas safety. Please arrange your annual gas safety check now

If you sublet your home

If you sublet your home for less than seven years you are responsible for meeting the landlord's statutory obligations under the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998. This means you must:

  • Ensure that all gas appliances, installation pipe work and flues for which you are responsible, are in a safe condition
  • Arrange for your gas appliances and flues to be checked for safety every 12 months
  • Ensure the work is carried out using a Gas Safe registered fitter by asking to see a current Gas Safe registration certificate, ringing the Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500, or by checking online
  • Keep a record of all safety checks carried out for at least two years after the safety check
  • Ensure your sub-tenant receives a copy of the gas safety check record (CP12) within 28 days of the inspection
  • Ensure any new sub-tenant receives a copy of the current gas safety check record (CP12) before they move in for the first time

If you need further advice about gas safety issues ring the Health and Safety Executive Gas Safety Advice Line on 0800 300 363.

Home security checklist

Help prevent accidents in the home by using the following checklist for each area of the house:

Remember that no two homes are the same and this information is only intended as a general guide to potential dangers.

Living rooms

  • Always keep open fires, electric and gas fires and portable heaters guarded
  • Always keep windows locked or guarded
  • Do not remove window restrictors unless the window is being cleaned; once cleaning has been carried out re-engaged it immediately
  • While a window restrictor is removed, the window must not be left unattended
  • Protect electrical sockets by fitting child proof covers

Gardens, pathways and communal passageways

  • Do not leave sharp tools lying around; keep them safely locked away and out of reach
  • Make sure your garden is secure by keeping fences, walls and gates in good repair to ensure children don't get out onto busy roads
  • Swings and climbing frames should be securely fixed and well maintained
  • Barbecues can be a major fire hazard; never leave them unattended when children are around.
  • Lit barbecues give off carbon monoxide (CO) so should never be used indoors
  • Keep paths and steps clean and well maintained
  • Use a shed to lock away dangerous chemicals like weed killers, sharp tools and electrical equipment when not in use; store all chemicals in the original containers and never in cups or soft drink bottles
  • Cover ponds and empty paddling pools immediately after use
  • Unplug electrical equipment when not in use; never use in the wet and keep in good repair; fitting an RCD (residual current device) could save a life
  • Always keep an eye on children when playing with animals and make sure animals are kept under control
  • Make sure you know if any of the plants in your garden are poisonous and keep them out of reach of young children
  • Ensure you keep the area immediately outside your front door clean and clear of any obstructions

Kitchens

  • Ensure all sharp kitchen implements are kept out of reach and sight of children at all times
  • Ensure all potentially dangerous liquids, such as bleach and detergents are kept out of reach of children; preferably in a locked container or cupboard
  • When cooking, keep pans out of reach of young children
  • Fit short or curly leads to kettles, coffee makers, deep fat fryers and similar items
  • Keep hot drinks out of reach of children at all times
  • Use place mats, rather than table cloths, to help prevent hot drinks and food being pulled onto young children and toddlers
  • Look at having a fire blanket available and know what to do in the event of a chip pan fire

Hallways and staircases

  • If toddlers are in the house, have stair gates fitted in the right place and of the correct type
  • Keep hallways and staircases free from clutter such as toys and clothes

Bedrooms

  • Ensure your child's night wear is fully flame retardant
  • Ensure accessible windows are fitted with safety locks and safety restrictors should never be removed unless for cleaning
  • Bunk beds should only be used by children over six

Bathrooms

  • Ensure medicines are kept out of reach of children, preferably in a locked bathroom cabinet
  • Keep pills in containers with child resistant tops; do not transfer pills into unmarked bottles
  • Cosmetics should be kept out of reach of children
  • The thermostat on your hot water system or immersion heater should not bet set higher than 54 degrees centigrade (54C)
  • Young children should not be left alone in the bathroom
  • Use a bath mat if the bath is not slip resistant
 
 
 
disabled
stonewall
browsealoud
 
arabic
polski
francais
japanese
urdu
hindi