We work with tenants to ensure the safety of all our housing estates.
Safety and Security
With a few precautions, you can prevent damage to your home or distress to your family.
Gas
If you smell gas freephone 0800 111 999 at any time. Call from outside your house and remember:
- turn the gas off at the mains
- open doors and windows
- don't smoke or create a spark or flame
- don't turn on electrical switches, including lights or phones
- check your cooker, or fire, to see if the gas is on and unlit, or if the pilot light has gone out
- keep people away from the area
Gas safety and carbon monoxide
- keep rooms ventilated, ensure wall and window vents are not blocked or closed
- buy gas appliances marked with the British Standard Kite Mark and use CORGI registered gas installers to connect and service them
- we service and repair appliances we install
- we carry out a gas safety check once a year, you must, by law, allow us into your home to do this
- if there is a gas fire in a room it should not be used as a bedroom
- don't paint any gas appliance
- don't remove a hearth from beneath a gas fire
Fire
Cooking, smoking, candles, electrical items and the effects of alcohol are the main causes of fire in this area.
- regularly test smoke detectors and replace batteries when necessary. Contact our Repairs Contact Centre immediately if it is faulty
- make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished
- don't dry clothes over heaters
- don't use chip pans, try a deep fat fryer instead
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service offer free Home Fire Safety Visits. Crews will come to your home to check, and fit where necessary, smoke alarms and highlight any potential fire hazards. To book a visit:
Security
- use your door viewer (spy hole), if you have one, to check who is calling before opening the door. If you don't know them and they don't have an appointment, don't open the door
- if you're expecting a caller, always ask to see identification. Check it carefully. If you are unsure, ask the caller to wait outside while you telephone the organisation they claim to represent
- mark your TV and other valuables with your postcode and house number, or keep a note of serial numbers
- draw the curtains and leave a light on in a main room if you go out in the evening
- arrange with a neighbour to keep an eye on each others' houses. Inform us if you are going away for a long time - more than 4 weeks
- if you want to set up a 'no cold calling' zone in your area, please contact Trading Standards.
- we have a caretaking or concierge service in some council buildings
Electrical safety
- unplug appliances when not in use
- isolate any faulty switch or socket, turn off that circuit at the consumer unit (fuse box), unplug appliances and phone us
- don't touch bare wires or wet fittings. Turn off the supply to that circuit at the consumer unit and don't use the fitting again until it is repaired or completely dry
- don't overload sockets. Avoid using double adaptors. Use one appliance at a time
- don't carry out any electrical work without our permission and advice
- report any fault to us immediately
Door entry systems
To maintain security:
- make sure that the door locks behind you
- never leave the entrance door propped open
- try not to allow people who do not live in the block to follow you in - they should press the button for the flat they are visiting
Don't disturb asbestos material
Some of our properties contain asbestos. Asbestos materials are not dangerous if they are in good condition and left undisturbed.
If you want to carry out DIY, such as drilling boards to fix shelves, removing ducts or bath panels and you are unsure about what type of board or wall it is, you must contact the Repairs Contact Centre to arrange for an inspector to visit you.
Cold weather advice
Find out how to keep your heating system safe during cold weather.
