Health and safety

Your safety is our top priority. This page outlines essential guidance on fire safety, electrical safety and gas safety to help you stay safe in your home.

General Home Safety


There are many potential hazards in the home, especially for young children and vulnerable people. Here are some simple steps to reduce risk:

  • Keep medicines and cleaning products out of reach of children and, where possible, locked away.
  • Take extra care with hot liquids, such as cups of tea, when children are nearby.
  • When cooking, turn pan handles inwards or use a stove guard to prevent accidents.
  • All freestanding cookers should be secured to the wall to prevent them from toppling.
  • Keep stairs and walkways clear of toys, trip hazards, and trailing electrical cables.
  • Do not store items in communal areas, as this can block escape routes and create fire risks.
     
A young boy reaching for one of three orange pill pots, filled with medicine on a counter

In the Event of a Fire

If you live in a block of flats, we will provide you with specific evacuation guidance tailored to your building. In the event of a fire:

  • Close the door to the room where the fire started, if it is safe to do so. This helps slow the spread of fire.
  • Ensure everyone has left the property safely.
  • Call 999 and ask for the fire brigade as soon as it is safe to do so.
  • Only attempt to fight the fire if you have a suitable fire extinguisher or fire blanket and feel confident it is safe to do so.
  • Report the fire to us as soon as possible so we can arrange any necessary repairs.
A kitchen in darkness apart from the corner of the room where a fire has taken hold and is spreading to the window

Electrical safety

Electricity is essential but can be dangerous if not used safely. Please follow these tips to reduce risk:

  • Use one plug per socket – avoid overloading with extension leads or multi-plug adaptors.
  • Inspect cables regularly for signs of wear or damage.
  • If an appliance is overheating or malfunctioning, stop using it and have it checked.
  • Service electric blankets regularly.
  • Unplug appliances when not in use.
  • Never use electrical appliances in the bathroom, except for fixed items like showers or shavers.
  • Keep children away from sockets and electrical devices.
  • Look for the CE or British Standard (BS) safety mark when buying electrical items—avoid cheap, unverified chargers.
An overloaded electrical outlet starting a fire

Gas safety

We carry out annual safety checks on all gas installations we are responsible for, including LPG connections to cookers. However:

  • Portable LPG canisters are not permitted inside properties (e.g. gas canister heaters).
  • You must request written permission before installing any new gas appliances or connections.
  • We maintain your gas boiler, but you are responsible for any gas appliances you own, such as cookers.


If you smell gas:

  • Call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.
  • Extinguish all flames, including cigarettes.
  • Do not use electrical switches (on or off).
  • Open windows and doors to ventilate the area.
  • Turn off the gas supply at the meter if you can do so safely.
An old fashioned three bar gas heater

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

We are committed to ensuring your home is equipped with essential safety devices:

Smoke detectors

  • All our homes are fitted with mains-wired smoke detectors, which are serviced annually.
  • These detectors provide vital early warning in the event of a fire.
  • Please test your smoke alarm weekly using the ‘test’ button.
  • Keep detectors free from dust and smoke residue to ensure they function correctly.
  • If your alarm is faulty, contact us immediately so we can arrange a repair.


Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors

  • CO detectors are provided in all homes where fossil fuels are used for heating, such as gas central heating.
  • These alarms are strategically positioned for maximum effectiveness—do not move them.
  • Like smoke alarms, test your CO detector weekly and report any issues to us.
  • Additional information leaflets are available on request.
     
A person's finger testing a smoke alarm button

Fire prevention


Fires can start quickly and cause serious harm. Many are preventable with simple precautions. The most common causes include smoking, cooking accidents, and faulty electrical items.

Fire safety tips

  • Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
  • Chip pans: Never fill more than one-third full and never leave unattended. Consider using oven chips, an air fryer, or a thermostatically controlled deep fat fryer instead.
  • Keep portable heaters and candles away from curtains and furniture. Place them where they can’t be knocked over.
  • Use fire guards with open fires.
  • Unplug appliances when not in use and avoid overloading sockets.
  • Never cover heaters (including E7 and portable heaters) with clothing.
  • Dispose of cigarettes carefully and never smoke in bed or when drowsy.
  • Do not use LPG canisters or store them inside your home.
  • Keep flammable items and pressurised containers (like aerosols) away from heat sources.

Appliances most likely to cause fires

  • Tumble dryers – clean filters regularly.
  • Cookers – keep clean and free of grease.
  • Dishwashers
  • Refrigerators
  • Microwaves – only microwave-safe containers.
  • Toasters – Empty crumb trays frequently.
  • Garden sheds – Do not install electrical wiring, as it can be a fire risk.
A hand lifting the filter out of the bottom of the tumble dryer door opening

Cooking and heating safety


Safety is especially important when using heating and cooking appliances. 

Please follow these guidelines to help keep your home safe:

  • All fuel-burning equipment, especially fires, needs a supply of fresh air. Do not block any ventilation, such as air vents, in your home.
  • Be aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, such as drowsiness and headaches. These can be caused by faulty fuel-burning appliances like gas cookers.
  • If a gas flame, which should burn blue, is burning orange, this may indicate a build-up of CO. Turn off the appliance and contact us immediately.
  • Always supervise young children and vulnerable people around fires and heaters.
A blue saucepan on a gas hob, a dishcloth is too near the flame and has caught fire

DIY and Garden Safety


If you plan to carry out any work on your home—other than painting and decorating—you must contact us for permission. This includes changes to your garden. It’s especially important to check for the presence of asbestos before starting any work.

  • Keep tools clean, in good repair, and check them before use. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Wear appropriate clothing and footwear when carrying out DIY or gardening tasks.
  • Disconnect electrical equipment before working on it. You must not make changes to wiring—changing light bulbs is the limit of what an unqualified person should do.
  • Never pour petrol on fires or barbecues.
  • Use ladders safely: ensure they are stable and always maintain three points of contact.
  • Store gardening tools properly and ensure they are in good condition.
  • When using sharp tools like shears or lawnmowers, wear protective gear such as gloves and sturdy footwear.
  • If using fertilisers, pesticides, or herbicides, follow the instructions carefully and store them securely, away from children and pets.
A man with a saw and a piece of wood, he is looking at his finger which is bleeding

Mobility scooter and electric bike battery safety

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in mobility scooters and e-bikes. While generally safe, they can pose a fire risk if damaged or charged incorrectly.

Here are some helpful do's and dont's:

Do:

  • Use the correct charger supplied with your scooter or e-bike.
  • Charge it in a well ventilated area, away from flammable materials.
  • Check for damage to the battery or charger before use.
  • Unplug once fully charged – avoid overnight charging.
  • Store batteries safely, ideally in a cool, dry place.

Don't:

  • Don’t charge batteries in communal areas or escape routes.
  • Don’t use damaged or swollen batteries.
  • Don’t cover the battery or charger while charging.
  • Don’t modify or tamper with the battery or charger.

If you notice:

  • A burning smell
  • Smoke or sparks
  • A hot or swollen battery

Stop charging immediately, move away from the device if safe to do so, and call 999.

An elderly man riding a red and black mobility scooter along a paved street

Electric vehicle (EV) charging safety

If you own an electric car, charging it safely is essential – especially if you're charging at home.

Here are some helpful do's and dont's:

Do:

  • Use a professionally installed EV charging point – never use a standard 3-pin plug long-term.
  • Keep cables tidy to avoid trip hazards.
  • Check for wear and tear on charging cables regularly.
  • Follow manufacturer guidelines for charging times and maintenance.
     

Don’t:

  • Don’t run charging cables across public footpaths or shared spaces.
  • Don’t use extension leads or adaptors to charge your EV.
  • Don’t charge in wet conditions unless your charger is rated for outdoor use.
A hand holding an electric car charger cable next to a white car's charging point