We hope that the information on this webpage will help you to enjoy your home safely.
Home Security
From time to time you will need to let representatives from The Highland Council and other agencies such as the power or phone companies into your home. You should always ask to see their identification before you let them in. The representative should also explain clearly who they are and why they are there. Don’t be afraid to take time to check their identification properly and to make a phone call to the company or Council if you are not sure – they will not take offence.
Remember to close your windows and lock doors when you go out. Never leave a key in a secret hiding place, e.g. under a mat and don’t leave a note on the door saying that you are out. You may want to leave a light on when you go out at night.
If you go away you should remember to cancel newspapers and milk. Royal Mail can provide a service to hold your mail until you return for a nominal fee. You may want to leave a key with a friend.
Gas Safety
The Council must check all its gas appliances at least once a year. We will let you know when we are coming to do this. If this appointment is not convenient contact us to arrange another one. For your own safety, please remember it is very important that we carry out this safety check each year.
As a tenant you should always get our written permission to carry out any alterations to your home. This is particularly important in the case of any gas installations and you should make sure that only CORGI registered contractors do the work.
The Council is only responsible for checking any gas installations that we own – you are responsible for any that you own or install and it is important that you get these checked for safety regularly as well. You can get advice from Gas Safe on which local firms are registered with them on the Gas Safe website.
Fire Precautions
There are a number of things you can do to help prevent fire:
- Keep matches away from children.
- Unplug all electrical appliances when not in use.
- Empty ashtrays.
- Don't leave cigarette ends burning.
- Don't leave candles unattended.
- Don't leave open fires without a fireguard.
- Don't dry clothes on or near any appliance which might cause a fire.
- Close doors.
- Don't overload electric sockets.
- Don't run flexes under or over carpets or rugs.
- Don't leave chip pans, frying pans or grill pans unattended.
- Don't smoke in bed.
Remember in the case of a fire you may have to get out of the house quickly, so don’t clutter corridors and escape routes.
We provide smoke alarms in all our houses. You should test these weekly to make sure that they are working. If you have a battery operated smoke alarm, you should also change the batteries when the alarm signals that these are running low. If there appears to be a fault, you should report this to your local Service Point or Housing and Property Office
Remember it is important to keep the smoke alarm in working order – it could save your life.
Electricity
Remember, electricity can be dangerous, to help you use your electric appliances safely you should never:
- Overload electric sockets.
- Run flexes under or over carpets or rugs.
- Use damaged or broken flexes or staple a flex to a wall.
- Take electrical appliances into the bathroom.
- Place heaters, heated towel rails or mirror lights above a batch or near a shower.
You should:
- Always have any work carried out by a qualified electrician and remember you must get the Council’s written permission before carrying out any work.
- Use adaptors as little as possible.
- Use light fittings only for lighting.
- Use power breakers if you are using an electrical appliance outside, e.g. a mower.
- Report damaged sockets.
Water
If you go away in winter, drain down the hot and cold water system or set the heating for a short period each evening on a low temperature to avoid burst pipes. In extreme weather conditions it is more advisable to drain down the system. We can do this for you but there may be a charge.
Accidents in the home
Many accidents that happen in the home can be avoided. These are some of the things to look out for:
- When cooking, turn all pan handles away from the edge.
- Avoid trip hazards - for example trailing flexes or loose rugs.
- Keep hot things away from the edge of tables or work surfaces so that young children cannot reach them.
- Use socket covers to protect young children.
- Take care if using steps, etc to reach up high.
- Keep medicines, cleaning products and chemicals for garden use etc. out of reach of children and don’t transfer them out of their original containers.
Ventilation
It is important to keep your home ventilated. This helps to prevent condensation and dampness. If your house is heated by gas or solid fuel, you must keep all vents clear to prevent a dangerous build up of carbon monoxide - do not block vents under any circumstances as this could endanger your life.
Asbestos
Although asbestos is no longer used as building material, some of our houses may still have asbestos in them. The Health and Safety Executive advises that if asbestos materials are in a sound condition and not liable to be disturbed, they should be left alone. Asbestos is only a health hazard if damaged or disturbed. Some of the most common uses are around heating installations or pipes and it is sometimes found in coalsheds, stores or garages but you may find it elsewhere. If you are doing any work in your house and you think that there may be asbestos, contact your local Housing and Property Office or Service Point. They will arrange for someone to contact you and give advice. There is a useful leaflet under Current Documents called Asbestos in the Home, which you can also look at.
Tenants Insurance
The Council insures the houses that it owns, but this only covers the building and not the contents of the house. We strongly advise you to take out contents insurance yourself to cover your belongings and decoration. We have arranged a tenants insurance scheme where you can pay by weekly instalment at the same time as your rent - Tenant Insurance Scheme.
For more information, please email: housingandproperty@highland.gov.uk