Fire safety

All of our homes are fitted with fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. It is your responsibility to test your fire alarms regularly. If your smoke alarm is not working or your home does not have an alarm, speak to our Repairs Centre on Live Chat straight away or call 01733 385030.

Fire safety notices are displayed in the communal areas of all of our blocks of flats, retirement living and short-stay accommodation. Make sure you read them and know what to do if a fire breaks out. Useful fire safety information is available at www.firekills.gov.uk.

If your front door opens into an internal communal space (like a hallway or corridor), we have to visit your home once a year to make sure your door meets the right safety standard. It only takes a few minutes, but we need to look at the door from both sides so will need access to your home. It’s not a problem if you can’t be at home, we’re happy for a neighbour or any member of your household aged over 16 to let us in.

These days, many house fires are started by electrical items that are left charging unattended. You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging, unplug devices when charging is complete, and never leave items to charge while you are asleep. 

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue also a free, online, home safety check tool to help you carry out your own fire risk assessments which offers an action plan at the end.

Fire door dos and don’ts:

Do

• Check that doors close tightly and there are no gaps.
• Check that any strips fitted are not damaged.
• Report any damage to our Repairs team immediately.

Do not

• Make any changes to the door or paint it.
• Replace the handles, hinges, locks or any hardware yourself.

Download our fire safety information guide for residents of flats and retirement housing.  
Download our fire safety information guide for residents of houses. 

 

Gas safety

By law, we have to make sure that the gas appliances, fittings and flues in your home are tested every year. You must let us into your home to do these safety tests according to your tenancy agreement.

Appointments are booked automatically by our contractors, Mears. If you need to change the date and time of your appointment, give us a call on 01733 385030. 

We also work with another company called Morgan Lambert who visit some of our homes after a gas safety inspection has taken place. They check the inspection has been completed properly. 

Smell gas?

Call Cadent on 0800 111 999.

Turn off the gas using the lever by your gas meter. Do not use any electrical equipment, naked flames, switch lights on or off, or smoke. Open all windows and doors, leave your home immediately and alert your neighbours.

 

Electrical safety

The electrics in your home must be tested every five years. Appointments are booked automatically. If you need to change the date or time of your appointment, call our Repairs team on 01733 385030. You must let us into your home to do these tests. The test can take up to three hours to complete and we need to have access to every electrical socket in your home. We will also disconnect some electrical appliances for a short period of time. Please check these are reconnected and working before our contractors leave. 

We also work with another company called Morgan Lambert who visit some of our homes after an electrical safety inspection has taken place. They check the inspection has been completed properly. 

Any problems with sparking, bare wires or a smell of burning, call our Repairs Centre on 01733 385030 as soon as you can.

Find useful advice on electrical safety at www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk.

 

Asbestos

Asbestos containing materials can be safe to live with if they are in good condition and undisturbed. If you are worried about asbestos in your home, speak to us on Live Chat.

Changes to your home might disturb asbestos, but we’ll let you know if there are any risks when you contact us for permission to make changes to your home. If any materials become damaged or disturbed, contact our Repairs Centre on 01733 385030 as soon as possible.

Our contractor will survey your home before they carry out any work that could affect asbestos containing materials. Any potentially dangerous materials will be removed safely.

Visit www.hse.gov.uk to find out more about where asbestos is most commonly found in the home.

 

Legionella 

Legionella is a bacteria that can live in the water inside your pipes that when breathed in causes legionnaires disease, a type of pneumonia.  There are only a few hundred cases of legionnaires disease reported in the UK each year. Heating water to a high enough temperature kills the bacteria. Using your boiler regularly helps to reduce the risk of legionella in your home. You can also help to reduce the risk by turning on your taps and letting the water run until it becomes hot if you have been away or haven't used a tap for more than a week. 

Read our safety in your home leaflet for more information on fire, gas and electrical safety as well as asbestos, radon, lifts and legionella. 

 

Home contents insurance 

If the worst does happen and there is an accident that damages the contents of your home, such as furniture, clothing or electronics, home contents insurance could help cover the cost of replacing them. As a resident, you are responsible for arranging insurance cover for your contents or belongings. As a CKH resident, you have the option to find out more about a specialist Tenants Contents Insurance policy, called the My Home Contents Insurance Scheme, but it is always a good idea to shop around for the best deal and cover for you.