Home Safety

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Home Safety & Crime

Gas Safety

It is a criminal offence for the landlord/agent not to have all gas appliances serviced and checked every 12 months, or for them to use someone who is not registered with the Gas Safe Register. The service record should either be given to you when you move in or displayed in the property.

If the landlord/agent refuses to have the gas appliances serviced, or they do not act on concerns that you raise, contact Environmental Health. They will check the appliances are safe and can then serve legal notices on the landlord/agent to have a full service carried out. They can also report them to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for not carrying out their legal obligations. The HSE have the power to instigate criminal proceedings against the landlord/agent.

In the case of a gas leak, contact Transco. If there is a fault they may make the appliance safe by disconnecting the service but they have no power to request that the landlord/agent carries out repairs.
All registered engineers should have an ID card, with a photograph, their name and business details. On the back of the card will be a list of the types of work that they are competent to carry out. Ask to see this identification card before any work is carried out. If you are unsure if the person is registered, check with the Gas Safe Register (contact details below). You will need to give the engineer's name and business details and registration number (if available).

Carbon Monoxide safety

Carbon Monoxide is a gas that is highly dangerous to people and animals, and is produced by appliances that burn fossil fuels such as gas or coal. Even an appliance that has been serviced regularly can produce Carbon Monoxide. Never cover or block air vents.

What are the warning signs?

The fire may be less efficient and go out more frequently.

There may be stains or discolouring around the top of the fire.
There may be only flickering yellows/orange flames instead of blue, yellow/orange.
You may feel drowsy, have more headaches or feel dizziness when getting up.
You may have slight palpitations, stomach pains or diarrhoea.

If you think there is a problem:

Stop using the appliance immediately.
Contact the landlord/agent and advise them of your concerns.
If they fail to act contact Environmental Health.

Don't be put off asking the landlord to investigate a possible problem by them telling you the appliance is safe because they have a gas service record. This record is for a given day, gas appliances can develop faults at anytime the fact that they have recently been serviced does not mean that they have not subsequently develop a potentially dangerous fault.
British Standard audio carbon-monoxide alarms cost around £30. If your landlord has not supplied one you could purchase one with your housemates and take it with you when you leave.

Have a look at http://www.co-awareness.org for more information.

Electrical Safety

Dangerous electrical appliances or damaged sockets can cause fire or serious injury. Although there is no legal requirement for the landlord/agent to carry out regular checks they are responsible for ensuring that the installations and appliances are safe to use. However, landlord/agents who have signed up to Unipol's Code of Standards are required to carry out a five year check.

What are the warning signs?

Broken plug sockets
Plugs that get hot when they are used
Sparks from electrical appliances/sockets
Fuses which continually blow
Loose switches
Exposed wiring

Frequently replacing light bulbs is not necessarily a sign of problem wiring. Try a different make of light bulb (perhaps more expensive) before reporting the problem.

Fire Safety

All soft furnishings such as sofas, armchairs, cushions and bedroom furniture must comply with fire safety standards and be made from fire resistant materials.

Most new furniture should have a permanent label to show that it meets with the Fire Safety Regulations. If your furniture does not have the necessary labels check with the landlord/agent. If you have any concerns contact Trading Standards who have the power to enforce the legislation.

A landlord/agent may ask you to remove furniture you bring from home if it does not meet with the standards. Landlord/agents put in fire detection systems for your safety and the protection of their property so please:

Do not remove the self closing mechanisms on fire doors.
Do not prop fire doors open.
Never cover up or remove batteries from smoke or heat detectors. If a fire breaks out you risk death or serious injury to yourself or other tenants. The landlord/agent could sue for damage caused to their property.
Always put candles on a protected surface.
Never leave a candle lit when you go to sleep or leave the room.
Test smoke alarms once a week.
Inform the landlord/agent immediately if the fire extinguisher or fire blanket has been used. If either are used inappropriately, the household could be charged for a replacement.

Landlords can check out www.FireProtectionOnline.co.uk for advice on fire extinguishers and the current fire safety regulations so why not make sure yours are up to standard?

Crime

According to Home Office statistics, one in three students become victims of crime before they graduate. You can avoid being one of them. Here's how!

Where to live

Check the area for signs of crime e.g. broken glass, boarded windows
Visit at different times of the day and night.
Make sure your house has:
- Curtains on downstairs windows
- Window locks
- A burglar alarm
- A solid front door with proper locks
If you are renting a basement room, check how secure it is
Be wary of gates and grills as they will make it difficult to get out in the event of a fire. back to top

Get into a good routine

Make sure your home is secure every time you leave the house. Even if you are only popping out for five minutes.
Lock up properly. Never just use the Yale lock.
Don't leave any external doors unlocked when you are at home.
Never leave valuables on window sills. Keep valuables out of sight.
Mark your property with a UV pen. (Pens are available free of charge from the Student Advice Centre)
Take your valuables home with you over the holidays
Use timer switches when you are out/away
Don't leave downstairs windows open when you are not in the room.

If you live in Halls or flats:

Don't let strangers follow you into your halls or flat. If someone lives there, they should have a key so close the door behind you.
If you've got an intercom, never buzz people in who you don't know.

Insurance - Get covered!

Skimp on insurance now and you may regret it later. If you're not covered how would pay for anything that was stolen?

Get a policy that covers what you need. Ask questions and shop around for the best deal.
Check if you are covered by your parents' insurance.
Beware of exclusions or special requirements (e.g. locks on bedroom doors).

If you live in university accommodation you may already be covered. See the link at the end of this page for more details. If you've got a lot of expensive stuff or want your bike covered, you may need to take out additional cover.
Insurance is not an alternative to being conscientious about security. If a burglar gets in through an unlocked door or window, your insurance company may not pay out.

I've been burgled, what do I do?

Call the police. When they come round make sure they give you a crime reference number as you will need this for your insurance. Do not move anything or tidy up until after the police have been.
Contact your landlord to secure the property if forced entry has been used.
If you live in university halls or flats, contact the Accommodation Office and the University Security Service.
If you live in private rented accommodation contact your insurance company to make a claim.