Safety

Your safety and security is important to us. Fortunately, there are ways to help protect your home and your neighbourhood. If you are having issues with crime or anti-social behaviour get in touch with our team now.

Many burglaries are done on the spur of the moment.

They can be avoided by following a few steps: 

• Always lock your doors and windows if you are going out
• If you are going away, ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your house.  Make sure you cancel your milk and paper deliveries
• Do not leave valuables lying about where they can be seen
• Do not keep large sums of money in your home
• If you live in a block of flats with a controlled entry system, make sure that the entry doors are always locked.  Do not let anyone you don’t know into the building.
• Please make sure you always use the window safety catches properly.  This can help prevent break-ins and make your home a safer place for children.  If you discover that any of the catches are not working properly then let us know and we will get them repaired

All of our staff and our contractors carry identification as do staff that work for Councils, Water Boards etc.  If anyone calls at your home and doesn’t have proper identification, or you are not sure about them, do not let them in. 

Gas

If you think you smell gas:

• Call National Grid on: 0800 111 999
• Don’t turn electric switches on or off
• Don’t smoke
• Don’t use naked flames
• Do turn off gas supply at the meter
• Do open doors and windows to get rid of the gas

Smoke alarms

• We fit smoke alarms in all our properties. Make sure that you:
• Test your alarm once a month
• Report any faults or missing alarms to us
• Replace batteries, if battery operated

What to do if there is a fire

• Raise the alarm. Don’t investigate to see if there is a fire. Shout to alert everyone in the house, get everyone together, follow your plan and get out.
• Don’t open any doors that are warm – the fire is on the other side of them.
• Don’t go back inside your home – don’t stop or go back for anything. Phone the Fire Brigade once you are out.
• If you can’t get out – get everyone together and close the door. Seal the bottom of the door with towels and bedding. Open the window and stay near it.
• Phone the Fire Brigade or shout for help so someone can phone the emergency services for you.
• View advice on fire safety information;  Fire safety in the home - v2.pdf  Fire-Safety - important information v2.pdf

 

Electricity

• Switch off appliances that are not in use
• Check cables and plugs regularly, never use damaged ones or run them under carpets or rugs
• Never touch switches with wet or damp hands
• Never coil cables or extension leads. Ensure cables are always fully extended