Home | Safety in your Home
Safety in your Home
What SBHA is doing to keep you safe, and what you can do to help
You can find key information about how to keep you and your property safe by viewing our handy guides using the links below. You can also download a copy of our Tenant Health and Safety Handbook here.
What we're doing to keep you safe
- All individual homes will have the required levels of smoke and heat alarms installed, appropriate to both the home and the needs of the Tenant.
- Communal fire alarm systems in amenity housing blocks will be tested weekly by a member of our team and serviced annually by a certified professional company/partner. Let us know if you have a hearing issue which may make it difficult for you to hear an alarm – we can provide assistance to help you obtain specially enhanced equipment.
- Fire extinguishers and blankets in communal areas of amenity housing blocks and Houses in Multiple Occupation will be visually checked weekly and serviced annually.
- Flats in enclosed communal blocks will be fitted with an approved 30-minute fire door. These doors can hold in a fire for at least 30 minutes, allowing time for either escape or the Fire Service to respond. Please do not tamper with fire doors – they could save your life.
- If you live in a block with a communal stairwell, we will also carry out regular Fire Risk Assessment to make sure that they are kept clear of flammables and obstruction.
- Emergency lighting in blocks will be tested regularly.
Fire safety in your home – what you can do
The major causes of domestic fires are; cooking, candles, smoking, heating and use of electrical gadgets. Fires can start suddenly and spread quickly, damaging your home and belongings and putting lives in danger. There are a few simple steps you can take to prevent a fire from starting:
- Don’t leave chip / food pans
- Be careful not to overload electrical
- Use chargers for devices (e.g. mobile phones, laptops etc) supplied by the manufacturer of the Cheap replacements have an increased risk of catching fire. Unplug chargers when not in use – always unplug them overnight.
- Close living room and kitchen doors at In the event of a fire this will help to hold back smoke and flames giving you vital time to escape or call for help.
- Keep matches out of reach of
- Keep portable heaters away from curtains and Only use the type with safety cut out which will turn them off if they should fall over.
- Never dry washing in front of an open
- Ensure your furniture is fire retardant, and keep combustibles away from any heat
- Keep an eye on lit candles – they should be on a stable surface, away from flammable items e.g. curtains, and kept out of reach of children.
Did you know…
Around 48% of domestic fires start in the kitchen, and are most commonly caused when cooking is left unattended.
Fire safety in communal blocks
If you live in a block with a shared stairwell or other communal areas, there are a few other things you need to think about.
- Keep communal electrical cupboards or other areas g. under stairs clear.
- Report issues of fly tipping, unauthorised storage, issues with door entry systems and any other communal issues promptly.
- Keep communal doors closed and do not wedge them open as this could affect the security of the block and/or allow fire to spread more easily.
- Keep bin stores tidy and take excess rubbish, unwanted household items to the recycling centre or tip.
What’s the plan?
Even with care, fires can happen. They can spread quickly, so you need to have a plan of how you would get out of your home, and make sure that everyone who lives there, as well as any visitors, are aware of it.
You can find an example of a fire escape plan here on the Scottish Fire and Rescue website.
You should check your route regularly to make sure that it’s clear.
If a fire breaks out in your home
- Close the door of the room where the fire is.
- Get everyone out of the house if possible. If you live in a flat with access to a communal stairwell the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) advise a stay put policy if the fire is not in your home as you may get trapped in the stairwell.
- If you need to break a window, the safest way is to break the glass in the bottom corner.
- Call the fire brigade – don’t assume that someone else has.
- Warn your neighbours and do NOT go back into the property.
Looking after your smoke alarm
- Check your smoke alarm weekly to make sure that it’s working.
- If your alarm bleeps intermittently this indicates a battery low fault or an alarm memory fault, which needs attention (contact us if you need help with this). A continuous beeping is an activation that requires immediate action to stay safe.
- Never disconnect the alarm if it goes off by mistake.
- Vacuum the grill area of the smoke alarm every 12 months.
- Never cover smoke alarms.
- Report any issues to SBHA.
SBHA has replaced all alarms to 10 year sealed for life battery backup or battery alarms for your safety. Do not install alarms that have replaceable batteries in your home.
What SBHA is doing to keep you safe
By law Landlords must make sure that all gas appliances, flues and pipework are safely maintained and checked once a year. This is to ensure your home is safe to live in. Unless gas appliances are serviced regularly, they can become dangerous and can kill. SBHA must carry out a service before the anniversary date expires on the previous certificate.
- SBHA’s gas contractor will arrange to carry out your gas safety check each year. We will take all reasonable steps to get in touch with you to arrange this. These checks are essential for your safety and required by law. If we are unable to arrange a suitable time with your consent we will commence our controlled entry process.
- If additional works are identified during the safety check the contractor will call you to arrange an appointment to have the repair carried out.
- A copy of the safety certificate will be sent to you within 28 days. Please keep this safe next to your appliance if possible, to assist with any inspections.
- We will carry out gas safety checks on all empty homes, and cap the gas.
Gas safety checks are vital for your safety and are required by law.
- All SBHA operatives or contractors carrying out works in SBHA homes are properly gas qualified for the works they are undertaking.
- All gas cookers must be fitted with a stability bracket. At each annual service a gas engineer will check that they have been fitted correctly.
- The gas inspection will look at all gas appliances in your home to check they are working correctly. We shall repair any appliance that we own such as boilers or fires. If there is a problem with an appliance that belongs to you, we will not carry out any repairs. Our contractor may fix a warning label to your appliance to warn you that it’s not safe to use. It is illegal to remove this label and use the appliance until it has been made safe to use. You are responsible for arranging any repairs that are necessary.
If you think you have a gas leak
- Open all doors & windows
- Do not put off or on any electrical items or switches.
- If any gas appliances have been left on, turn them off.
- If the pilot light is still on and your gas appliances are all off, there may be a leak.
- Turn off the gas at the mains.
Phone the National Gas Emergency Number immediately on 0800 111 999. (This is a free phone number unless you are calling from a mobile phone).
What you can do to keep yourself gas safe
- Keep the appointment given for the annual safety check and service given by SBHA’s gas contractor. If you can’t, call the gas contractor to re-arrange for a time that is suitable and before the anniversary date (i.e. within a year of the last service).
- If you have a prepayment meter please make sure you have at least emergency credit available on your electric and gas meter for our gas engineers to complete a gas safety check.
- Ensure you have cleared the area surrounding your boiler to enable the engineer easy access to the boiler.
Staying gas safe – your appliances
- If you live in a flat, the law requires that any new gas cooker has a flame supervision device fitted to shut off the supply and prevent a gas explosion or a fire if the flame is Make sure you check with us before you buy a new cooker.
- Any new gas cooker you have fitted must be fitted by a qualified gas engineer and a certificate forwarded to SBHA.
- No gas fires can be installed in the property by Any works to gas system must be approved in writing by SBHA before they are carried out. If you suspect any problems with your gas appliance, please call the repairs line on 0800 0193 222.
Tips for boiler faults
If you have a problem with your boiler, please take the following steps before calling to report a fault:
- If you have a pre-pay meter, check it is in credit.
- Check there has not been a power cut and there is power to the appliance.
- Check to see if the pilot light has gone out.
- Please try and reset the boiler – if you do not have an instruction manual, contact us and we will send you a copy.
- Check the pressure gauge on the boiler when system is cold; it should be between 1 and 1.5 bar. Generally, this is indicated by a green zone on the gauge. Do not overfill past the green zone or 2-bar level. Check that the boiler has not been turned on to hot water only settings or on to a timer.
- If you have a thermostat, check that this is set to the correct temperature or select 30 degree to test the boiler. You can then adjust to a comfortable temperature once the boiler is running.
- In cold weather your condensate pipe that comes from your boiler to the outside of your property can become This can cause your boiler to shut down. This can be fixed by pouring warm water over the pipe.
Solid fuel appliances such as open fires, multi stoves and Charnwood heating stoves produce poisonous gases that will require a clear and unobstructed flue to carry them away from the property. The property also needs to have an adequate ventilation system such as air vents that are appropriately sized to serve the appliance. Solid fuel appliances need to be serviced annually, including a chimney/flue clean to ensure they operate correctly.
What SBHA is doing to keep you safe:
- We will ensure an annual service is carried out on the appliance and flue.
- We will ensure there is adequate ventilation for the correct burning of the appliance.
- We will ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is sited near to the appliance for your safety.
If you suspect any problems with your solid fuel appliance, please call the repairs line on 0800 0193 222.
What you can do to assist and to keep yourself safe:
- Make sure the ventilation is not obstructed.
- Empty and check the ash can every day.
- Always use the correct fuel.
- Never leave an open fire unattended without a secured
fireguard. - Never let children near a fire and use a secured fireguard for
their safety. - Allow us access to carry out your annual service.
If your appliance begins to burn slowly, goes out frequently or if you smell or suspect fumes:
- Open doors and windows.
- Carefully put out the fire, or allow to burn out itself.
- Do not stay in the room any longer than necessary.
- Do not attempt to relight the appliance until it has been
checked.
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, coal and wood do not burn fully. The most common causes of accidental exposure to carbon monoxide are incorrectly installed, poorly
maintained or poorly ventilated household appliances, for example cookers, heaters and central heating boilers. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that has no smell or taste. Breathing it in can make you unwell, and it can kill if you are exposed to high levels.
What SBHA is doing to keep you safe:
- We will ensure homes with gas heating appliances and solid fuel heating are fitted with a carbon monoxide detector and appropriate ventilation.
- We will carry out a check of your carbon monoxide detector during your annual gas or solid fuel check and service. Where a fault is identified a temporary alarm wil be left in place until the repair can be carried out. Do not move alarms fitted by SBHA.
- We will respond to reports of a carbon monoxide alarm activation as an emergency and if required replace the detector. Depending on the situation an SBHA gas officer may attend and carry out an inspection to assess the fault. This may be escalated to our procured gas consultants to carry out a more thorough investigation where required.
- When a carbon monoxide detector is triggered in amenity housing, a message will be relayed to our monitoring partners, who will get in touch with you directly through the handset. If there is no response the emergency services will be sent to your home.
What you can do to assist and to keep yourself safe:
- Do NOT remove carbon monoxide detection alarms from your property – they are there for your safety and can save you and your family’s lives.
- Report issues or activations promptly.
- Do not cover vents, they are there to ensure effective ventilation to prevent build-up of fumes.
If your alarm bleeps intermittently this indicates a battery low fault or an alarm memory fault, which needs attention. Please call SBHA to have this rectified. SBHA are actively replacing all alarms to 10 year sealed for life battery backup or battery alarms for your safety. Do not install alarms that have replaceable batteries in your home. Call SBHA if you have any alarm issue you are not sure about.
We need to carry out regular electrical inspections and tests because electrical installations deteriorate due to issues such as damage, wear and tear, corrosion, excessive electrical loading, ageing and environmental influences.
Electricity is a major cause of fires and electricity can cause injury such as electric shock, burns and falls.
What SBHA is doing to keep you safe:
- Carry out an electrical safety check every 5 years on your home and undertake any works identified during the check promptly.
- Carry out an electrical safety check every 5 years in communal area of all blocks and undertake any works identified during the check promptly.
- Carry out an electrical check after major works on your home, this includes a kitchen, bathroom, or heating replacement.
- During the empty homes process we will ensure every property has a safety check and any required works completed prior to the property being let.
- Maintain a register of all electrical checks carried out to ensure the effective management and monitoring of the electrical safety process.
- Ensure any SBHA Operative or contractor undertaking works in SBHA homes are properly electrically qualified for the works they are undertaking.
What you can do to assist and keep yourself safe:
- Ensure you give access for all electrical safety checks.
- Do not overload power circuits with multiple extension cables.
- Do not attempt to carry out any electrical works yourself, except plug changes.
- Switch off chargers etc. when not in use and check for overheating.
Tips for Loss of Power
Lost power? Here are a few things to try before you call to report a fault:
- Check your trip-switch or fuses to make sure you do not have a fault with an appliance:
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- If the trip switch is on, turn the switch off and back on again.
- If the supply is not restored, push the “test” button. If the switch trips, there is a fault with one of your appliances. You should then turn off all appliances and turn the switch back on. Now switch your appliances on one by one and if the power trips when you turn on an appliance, that is the faulty appliance. It may be as simple as a light bulb needs replaced.
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- Check with your neighbours, if they are having a problem it may be a power cut. You should call your electricity supplier to advise them, and to ask if they are aware of the problem and how long the power may be off for.
There are several water-borne bacteria/diseases, but the most well-known is Legionnaires’ disease (legionella) which is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia, caused by infected water droplets/mist.
This disease can affect anybody, but mainly affects those who are more vulnerable because of age, illness, immunosuppression, smoking etc. It is caused by the bacteria Legionella Pneumophila and related bacteria. It can be present in stagnant water taps or unused pipework with water enclosed, pipes, water tanks and shower heads. Breathing in small droplets of contaminated water is how the legionella bacteria infect your lungs.
What SBHA is doing to keep you safe:
- Undertake a monthly check of communal water outlets in communal areas of amenity housing blocks and Houses in Multiple Occupation. Any resulting works found during these checks will be undertaken promptly.
- Carry out cyclical water checks to communal water tanks where required. This may require access to your property to access the communal tank. Any resulting works found during these checks will be undertaken promptly. Where applicable communal water tanks not required will be removed.
- During the empty homes process we will carry out a water pipework system flush and replace a shower hose and head prior to a property being allocated.
- Maintain a register of all water checks carried out to ensure the effective management and monitoring of the water safety process.
- Ensure any SBHA Operative or Contractor undertaking works in SBHA homes is properly trained for the works they are undertaking.
- We will ensure that your boiler is set at the correct temperature to prevent any risk of legionella.
- Any new baths that we fit will have a thermostatic mixing valve present to reduce the risk of scalding and distribute safe temperature water (under 44 degrees) at the tap directly.
What you can do to assist and keep yourself safe:
- Grant prompt access where required to a communal water tank so the inspection and any works can be carried out.
- Ensure you run water through all your taps and showerheads regularly.
- Do not allow water to stagnate e.g. when water outlets are not in regular use.
- Unscrew your showerhead regularly and immerse in disinfectant for a couple of minutes.
- If you are away from your home for more than 48hrs, upon your return run all taps and water outlets for 5 minutes.
- When you get back from longer holiday/breaks, you should run water through all your taps and showerheads for a longer period, say 10 minutes and immerse your shower head in disinfectant for several hours.
- Before using garden hose pipes, turn the water on without a spray nozzle attached and run for 5 minutes.
- Do not alter the settings on your boiler for water temperature as this will have been set to a level to ensure your safety.
Report damp and mould to us, find out what we're doing to tackle damp and mould in Tenants' homes, and find out about the steps you can take to reduce moisture in your home, on our dedicated page.
Asbestos is a strong, durable, non-inflammable fibre widely used for reinforcing many materials in buildings prior to 1999. It was also a good insulator, so it was used extensively to protect building structures from fire and excessive heat. Because of its many uses, materials containing asbestos can be found in all types of buildings, especially those built between 1950 and 1999 and it was widely used in the construction and refurbishment of homes.
Where asbestos remains mixed, bound or sealed with other materials and not disturbed it does not pose a safety risk. If asbestos is disturbed and fibres released, serious health risks can arise in the long term from breathing in air containing asbestos fibres.
What SBHA is doing to keep you safe:
- SBHA operates an asbestos register with all known properties that contain some form of asbestos. This is continually being updated as information becomes available.
- SBHA uses several accredited asbestos surveyors who are licensed to carry out asbestos surveys across all SBHA properties.
- If a survey requires to be carried out to your home, we will then know whether there are any materials that contain asbestos and, if so, what condition they are in.
- SBHA will inform you of any survey results. We will also inform you and keep you updated as to what is considered to be the best and safest course of action if any asbestos-based materials are discovered.
- If any asbestos-based materials are in a dangerous condition, SBHA will arrange for them to be removed as soon as possible.
- SBHA uses accredited asbestos removal contractors who are licensed to carry out asbestos removal across all SBHA properties.
- Asbestos materials which are not in a dangerous condition will not always be removed. This is because it is very disruptive. SBHA will, however, arrange for them to be sealed (we call this “encapsulated”) so that they can’t release fibres, and they will be effectively managed.
* Asbestos surveys and removal are carried out by our approved and licensed contractor.
What you can do to assist and keep yourself safe:
Contact us before undertaking DIY work which would disturb the fabric of the building. Standard decorative work, such as scraping wallpaper or painting, is perfectly safe. You must however call us in advance of carrying out any work if you plan to:
- Remove, sand, drill or scrape any artex coatings to surfaces.
- Drill (other than minor work, for example to put up a picture frame or a hook).
- Plan work which would disturb any material in the loft area.
- Plan work in the heating cupboard, on or around pipes which are lagged.
If you think you many have found asbestos in your home, you should:
- Report the matter to us without delay by calling Freephone 0800 0193 222 / 01750 724444 (charged at local rate)
- Make sure that the material is not disturbed
Communal safety is important to reduce unwanted access to the block and to keep communal areas (internal and external) free from hazards which could cause injury, catch fire or obstruct escape in an emergency. Our Officers carry out regular health and safety inspections of the common parts of our properties. If you have any health and safety concerns, please report them to us as soon as possible. Tenants are encouraged and welcome to accompany officers on estate and common area inspections.
What SBHA will do to keep you safe:
- Where blocks are fitted with door entry systems these will be maintained to ensure they are in good working order.
- Carry out visual inspections of the blocks to identify and remove hazards.
- Provide a bin store for household day to day rubbish.
What you can do to assist and keep yourself safe:
- Only ‘buzz in’ people you know or are expecting where a door entry system is fitted to avoid unwanted access to the block.
- Keep communal passageways free from obstruction to avoid trip and fire hazards.
- Keep communal electrical cupboards or other areas e.g. under stairs clear.
- Report issues of fly tipping, unauthorised storage, issues with door entry systems and any other communal issues promptly.
- Keep communal doors closed and do not wedge them open as this could compromise the security of the block and/or allow fire to spread more easily.
- Keep bin stores tidy and take excess rubbish, unwanted household items to the recycling centre or tip.
Safety in lifts
SBHA has some passenger lifts and a stair lift in communal and Amenity Housing blocks. These lifts are vital for Tenants who for whatever reason do not wish to or physically cannot use the stairs to access their home. SBHA has a duty of care to ensure the lifting equipment is kept and maintained to a safe standard for use.
What SBHA will do to keep you safe:
- Carry out annual cyclical checks of our lifts and ensure any works identified during these checks are carried out promptly.
- Upgrade and replace lift parts based on their useful life.
- Respond promptly to reports of people getting trapped in lifts.
- Respond promptly to reports of issues affecting use and operation.
What you can do to assist and keep yourself safe:
- Follow the instructions that will be clearly displayed in each individual lift. Directions and emergency contact details will be shown.
- Please follow the weight restrictions that will be displayed.
- Promptly report issues affecting any lift.
Radon is a radioactive gas, which impacts a small number of our properties. We cannot see, smell or taste it. You need special equipment to detect it. It comes from the rocks and soil found everywhere in the UK. The radon levels we breathe outside are extremely low but can be higher in certain areas inside due to a lack of ventilation under the floor.
SBHA is committed to monitoring homes in areas which have been identified as having potential risk of Radon. We follow the official guidance from Public Health England who are responsible for monitoring Radon throughout the UK, including in Scotland, as well as guidance from www.ukradon.org. Any high levels of radon identified will be managed to acceptable levels.
What SBHA will do to keep you safe:
- Ensure properties in identified areas defined by UK radon maps are tested to ensure adequate ventilation is available to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.
- We will notify you of any identified radon risk in your location requiring further investigation.
What you can do to assist and keep yourself safe if your property has been identified as being impacted by Radon:
- Allowing any mobile monitoring equipment to be installed in your property for a small period until returned for analysis.
- Do not block any ventilation installed in your floors or walls – these are designed to allow any potential gases to escape into the fresh air.
If you have any questions or concerns about Radon, please call 0800 0193 222 and ask to speak to a member of the Compliance Team.
Each year, more people are killed or injured by accidents in the home, than any other type of accident. Here is a checklist to help remind you to avoid some of the more common risks:
- Keep floors and floor coverings in good condition.
- Replace used or broken light bulbs at once.
- Keep stairs well lit.
- Use non-slip polishes and mats.
- Do not put mirrors above fires, as this could encourage people to stand too close to the fire to look into it.
- Keep children away from cookers and turn pan handles away from the front of the cooker.
- Keep all medicines and cleaning products out of children’s reach.
- Avoid long flexes and replace worn flexes immediately. Keep flexes away from cookers.
- Do not mix toilet cleaners and bleaches as this can cause harmful gasses.
- Do not leave matches or lighters around if there are young children about.
Loft spaces are not designed for storage purposes. Any articles you store in your loft are there at your own risk. If we need to get access to your loft for maintenance work, you may be asked to remove any items you have stored there. If you vacate the property, ensure the loft is clear of items or you may be recharged by SBHA for disposing of items. Be aware there is potential fire risk in attics if you cover electric cables with combustibles.
Common pests which can be found in and around the home include rats and mice, wasps, fleas, bees, and bats.
Rats can spread disease such as Weil’s disease, salmonella and rat bite fever.
Mice are a nuisance and can cause considerable damage to plumbing (causing flooding) and cabling (causing fires). Traps for rats and mice can be bought from most hardware stores – follow the instructions for their use carefully.
Pest control is the Tenant’s responsibility but for infestations of rats, mice, bees, cockroaches please contact us to seek further professional advice and treatment as these can be difficult to eradicate on your own.
Bats
Bats are mostly harmless and classed at worst as a nuisance. Most people live happily beside bats, not noticing they are there most of the time. There is only one known disease associated with bats in the UK, which is Lyssavirus, a rabies-type virus. It has only ever been found in a very small number of bats. There is no risk to you if you do not handle bats.
All bats are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside act 1981. It is an offence to kill, capture, keep bats, destroy or obstruct their roosts.
It is a legal requirement to consult Scottish Natural Heritage before you do anything to disturb or affect bats or their roosts. See www.snh.org.uk.
An increasing number of new build properties including SBHA developments have bat boxes built into the gable ends of houses as a planning requirement. It is an offence to interfere with bat boxes or roosts. Please contact us if bats are causing a nuisance to you for further advice.
In some exceptional circumstances, such as flooding or outbreaks of infection, it may be necessary for us to introduce additional measures to keep you safe; for example, extra hygiene practices or restrictions on people visiting your home.
If this is the case, we will always keep you informed, explaining clearly what these measures are and why they need to be introduced. In cases where such extra measures have had to be introduced, it may take longer than usual to carry out some services. Your safety will always be our top priority.
