Safety in your home

We take your safety and the safety of your property seriously and we work tirelessly to maintain fire safety and ensure you are protected as much as possible.

Fire alarms are tested at least once every 12 months, gas servicing will also take place annually and electrics will be inspected and reviewed every 5 years.

Most Fires at home start accidentally – and the effects can be devastating. Smoke alarms provide an early warning allowing vital time for you to escape.

Follow these top tips for fire safety:

• Make a fire action plan so that everyone in your home knows how to escape if there’s a fire.
• Keep the exits from your home clear so that you can escape if there’s a fire.
• Take extra care in the kitchen – accidents while cooking account for over half of the fires in homes – don’t leave cooking unattended – don’t cook under the influence of alcohol.
• Make sure cigarettes are stubbed out properly and don’t smoke in bed.
• Don’t overload electrical sockets, and don’t use inferior charging devices for electrical appliances such as mobile phones and laptops.
• Close all doors before going to bed – closing doors can protect your escape route in the case of fire starting.
• Don’t leave the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher running overnight.

If a fire does occur in your home – “Get Out”, “Stay Out” and “Call Out” – call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service

Safe to Stay Policy

We have a “Safe to Stay” policy in most of our flats, you should take the following steps:

• when a fire occurs within a flat, you should occupants alert others in the flat and make your way out of the building and call 999
• if a fire starts in the common area, make your way out of the building and call 999
• all other residents not directly affected by fire should “Stay” and remain in your flats unless you feel unsafe, affected by the fire or directed to leave by the fire service.

When leaving a building in a fire:

• do not stop to collect personal belongings
• do not try and put the fire out
• if there’s a lift fitted in your block don’t use it – take the stairs
• do not go back into the building until you are told that it is safe
• stay calm

If you live within one of our schemes, there will be a Fire Risk Assessment in place and additional safety measures may be identified, such as suitable fire alarm systems, tested and maintained frequently.

We will also need to make sure that any communal areas or stairs are free from rubbish and any other flammable materials.

Further information is available from North Wales Fire Service

Hoarding is an illness called ‘Hoarding disorder’.

It happens when a person’s collection of things becomes so bad that it affects their daily and social life.

Dangers of hoarding

There are many dangers of hoarding, including:

• Risk of fire in the property.
• Damage to the structure of the building and floorboards
• People being crushed

Advice for family and friends

Not all hoarders believe that they are hoarders. They might not think that it’s a problem. Others might know it’s a problem but are too embarrassed to ask for help.

Things that you could try:

• Gain their trust
• Tell them that you will not throw anything way without their permission
• Set small goals, spend 10-20 minutes a day clearing
• Safety first – start with clearing hallways or blocked doors
• Donate things to charity instead of throwing everything

People that could help

Contact us to talk to our Neighbourhood Services Team.
Here are some useful links for you:

• hoardinguk.org
• nhs.uk/conditions/hoarding
• helpforhoarders.co.uk

Unfortunately there are more and more scams and scammers around these days.

Here are some tips to protect yourself

• be on guard if someone you don’t know turns up on your doors step unexpectedly
• remember genuine callers will not mind waiting, so ask to see their identification
• use a door chain or bar and keep it on while talking to unknown visitors
• it’s your home – you don’t have to let anyone in!
• if in doubt, keep them out. Dial 999 if you’re suspicious or the caller won’t leave.
• call the police non-emergency number 101 if you’re not in immediate danger but want to report an incident

Whirlpool are recalling certain models of washing machines manufactured under the Hotpoint and Indesit brands between 2014 and 2018.

This is due to a defective door catch on certain models, which can overheat during use giving a risk of fire.

You can find out more on the Electrical Safety First website which links to the Whirlpool website.

Electrical Safety Advice

Please ensure that you flag electrical problems as soon as they appear, as well as maintain any electrical items you bring into the house.

We will:

• arrange for a report to be carried out confirming that the electrical installation has been assessed and is safe to use, in line with strict safety standards. This will be undertaken every 5 years
• request certification confirming that any recent electrical work meets the current Welsh Government standards.

Our engineers will be checking the wiring and fuse board at your home and a representative sample of your  homes electrical fittings such as your light switches and plug sockets. This is in line with Welsh Government standards.

It is the law for us to carry out these checks every five years, which means that we will need access. Please help us protect your safety by being home when an appointment is made and let us get on with the safety checks.

If you need to amend an existing electrical testing appointment please phone 0300 123 8084.

It is our legal responsibility to carry out an annual gas service and for making sure that piping and flues in your home are safe, as well as gas boilers and appliances.

These checks are carried out once a year by a qualified engineer who is registered with Gas Safe.

To do this, you must provide access for this to take place.  It is for your own safety and the safety of others around you.

If we fail to gain access within 21 days of the first appointment or if you refuse us access, we will take legal action.

If you have an external gas supply, following various unsuccessful attempts to gain access your gas supply will be capped. For your health and well-being we need to avoid this from happening.

If you smell gas, please ensure you:

• open all doors and windows
• shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve (if you know where it is) and do not switch on any electrical appliances or ignite a naked flame
• call the National Grid Gas Emergency Number on 0800 111 999.

Asbestos is present in most houses and you should not be worried by this.  If it is left in good condition and it does not pose a risk, then we will not always remove it.

We do carry out asbestos risk management surveys to help protect you and your property.

Some areas in your home where you may find asbestos include:

• gutters and rain water pipes
• fire blankets
• textured coatings such as Artex
• garage and shed roofs
• linings for walls, ceilings and doors
• insulation panels in some storage heaters
• bath panels
• central heating flues
• loose asbestos packing between floors and in partition walls
• floor tiles.

To prevent the release of asbestos fibres in your home you should not undertake any DIY work before contacting us to get permission and advice. Any work like sanding or drilling that disturbs walls, floors, doors, ceilings, roof spaces could release asbestos fibres into your home. Should any asbestos materials (or materials you suspect to be asbestos) become damaged, then please contact us immediately

If you are due Improvement works at your home we may contact you to arrange a more extensive Asbestos Survey where we will take some samples.

Again, if we need to access your property, it is important to make yourself available.

Legionella is a bacteria that is found in most water systems and is harmless.

However it can become dangerous in stagnant water between 20 and 45 degrees and can cause people to fall ill.

We want you to remain safe and we will:

Carry out risk assessments in communal areas which are reviewed annually or if circumstances change such as alterations to the water system

• Design out risks, where we can, by programmed improvements to water systems
• Chlorinate the communal water systems annually in line with the risk assessments for the building
• Carry out repair and maintenance works to maintain safe temperatures in water systems and communal systems

To minimise the risk of infection if an outlet has not been used for 7 days or more, it is advised to:

• Run the hot water taps for a minimum of 60 seconds
• Flush shower heads for a minimum of 60 seconds.

We comply to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998  (LOLER) & Servicing requirements

Adaptation equipment is provided uniquely for an individual based on an Occupational Therapist (OT) assessment to determine changes to the home to suit the need of a resident

Examples of Lifting Equipment include,

• Stair Lift
• Hoist
• Through Floor Lift
• Passenger Lift
• Platform Lift
• Specialist Bath’s / Tables

If you have Lifting Equipment in your home or as part of a scheme you live in, we have to follow servicing and access requirements.

As with all mechanical equipment, it is important that your equipment is maintained so it can continue to cater for your needs.

Our appointed domestic lift servicing contractor will visit your home every six months or annually depending on the equipment to undertake a service.

In addition to routine servicing,  LOLER inspections will be undertaken by a competent person  and not the servicing contractor. LOLER inspections will be undertaken every 6 months to meet regulatory safety standards.

Summary

• one contractor servicing your lifting equipment
• another contractor undertaking a 6 monthly thorough inspection.
• Unfortunately, the two contractors are not able to attend on the same date.

Access is Vital. 

It is important you allow access for these visits as they ensure your equipment is continually safe for you to use.