One of the most important safety features in your home is checking your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. This should be done once a month.
When you signed up as a tenant with us, your area housing officer or Independent Living co-ordinator would have shown you where the alarms were located and how to test them.

 

You can also read a copy of our clear print instructions.

 

 

Important things to know about your smoke alarm:

  • Working smoke alarms correctly positioned in your home can save your life
  • Make sure you test your smoke alarms at least once a month
  • Make sure you have smoke alarms on every floor of your home
  • Don’t ever paint over a smoke alarm
  • Keep your smoke alarm clean and free from dust by lightly cleaning with a soft cloth
  • Have a plan for how you’d leave your home if your smoke alarms go off, and make sure everyone in your home knows what it is

 Smoke Detector

Here are some simple tips to help prevent fires:

1. Most fires happen at night. Check all appliances are off before you go to bed

2. Keep all exits clear of obstructions so that people can escape quickly

3. Take care in the kitchen and never leave cooking unattended

4. Never leave electrical appliances switched on when no one is at home

5. Always keep matches and lighters out of reach of children

6. Extinguish cigarettes carefully and never smoke in bed

7. Keep candles in secure and non-flammable holders and never leave them unattended

8. Do not overload electrical sockets

9. Do not leave a fire door open, and never remove an automatic door closer

10. Do not store anything flammable such as petrol in your home

 

You can also get a free home fire safety check from your local fire service.

More advice can be found here: /your-tenancy/your-tenancy/home-safety/fire-safety/

 

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide is an odourless, colourless and tasteless gas which is poisonous. It can be produced by appliances that burn fossil fuels such as gas, coal, wood, or oil if they are not working properly.

To keep safe from carbon monoxide you should ensure that:

  • You have adequate ventilation in your property
  • You have any gas appliances serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer
  • Have a carbon monoxide alarm in every room which has appliances that burn fossil fuels, make sure it complies with the British Standard EN 50291 and carries a British or European approval mark, such as a Kitemark.
  • You test your carbon monoxide alarms every month at the same time as your smoke alarm.

Carbon Monoxide Small

 

Please note, some of our smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms vary, but all work in the same way.

If you need any further help on testing your alarms, you can talk to your area housing officer or independent living co-ordinator. You can also call 0333 320 4555 or use our web chat function.