We're committed to providing a safe environment for our customers to live. However, sometimes we may need your help to provide safety in your home.
Asbestos was widely used in the construction industry from the 1950s through to the mid-1980s.
It can be found in many buildings and was used in a variety of building materials. Left undisturbed, asbestos poses little danger; therefore it should not be cause for concern. However, we would like to remind you not to make alterations to your home (including drilling into walls, ceilings and floors) without prior approval.
If your electricity isn’t working and you think an appliance caused the problem:
If the problems continue and you can’t find the fault, please contact us. If you get an electric shock from either a switch or a socket, please contact us immediately. You must not use the switch or socket, and you should turn the circuit off at the fuse box or circuit breaker.
Our top tips for electrical safety are:
Faulty gas or solid fuel equipment can be dangerous. It leaks an odourless gas called carbon monoxide, which if breathed in, can kill.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen if:
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include tiredness or drowsiness, headache, chest pains and stomach pains. If you notice yellow or orange flames, soot or stains around the appliance or your pilot light often blows out, this could mean a problem – make sure you let us know immediately.
If you think a gas appliance in your home isn’t working properly, don’t use it. Never cover up appliances or block the vents. And don’t cover or block the outside flues.
By signing up to the Priority Services Register, you will receive extra support to keep you warm and safe if there’s ever an unexpected interruption to your gas or electricity supply at home.
If you or someone living in your household is eligible and might struggle without gas or electricity, even just for a few hours, by joining the PSR you’ll be seen as a priority.
You can join the register if you have
or if you are of pensionable age.
When completing the registration form, use partner code 029. Visit www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/priority-customers
To keep you safe, we will service all homes with gas or solid fuel at least once a year.
Please make sure you let the engineer in to do this important job. This work is essential to ensure your appliance works safely and efficiently and we would ask that you make every effort to allow access to the engineer when your service is due. If you fail to allow access we may have to consider legal action to gain access to your property.
If you have a smoke alarm in your home, test it monthly to make sure it is working. You must also keep it clean and dust-free, or it may not work if there is a real fire.
Smoke alarms testing and maintenance
You should press the test button on your smoke alarm once a month to ensure it is working.
When the low battery warning signal sounds, you should replace the battery immediately. The low battery beep will sound every minute for up to 30 days when the battery needs replacing.
It is your responsibility to ensure regular cleaning of the detector and changing of batteries, where applicable. If you think your smoke alarm is faulty, please contact us.
Smoke alarms for the "Hard of Hearing"
Working with Social Care Direct, we can arrange for an initial assessment for any tenant who may have a hearing impairment and to make a recommendation to the fire service to provide a specialist smoke alarm. For more information please contact your housing officer.
Some useful security tips:
