Home safety inspection checklist

Every year in the UK more than 4,000 people die in accidents in the home and nearly three million turn up at accident and emergency departments seeking treatment. RoSPA *.

Those of us renting accommodation may be more at risk than others. So, what are the risks, how can you avoid them and who can you contact for advice and help?

• Are carpets and other floor finishes properly fitted down?

• Are loose mats non-slip on the underside?

• Is lighting good at changes in floor level, steps and stairs?

• Are stairways and landings protected safely? Do they have handrails?

• Are windows child-safe and can you still get out in an emergency?

• Is any low level glazing properly fitted with safety glass?

• Do floors, stairs or other parts of the building seem unsafe in other ways?

• Are anti-topple brackets fitted to cookers and cooker safety guards when children are there?

• Are worksurfaces sufficient to keep children away from kettles and other hot or sharp objects? Do they fit close enough to both sides of the cooker to help stop children from reaching pan handles?

• Are self-closing fire doors, smoke detectors,fire alarms and emergency lighting fitted and maintained?

• Is a fire blanket provided in the kitchen area? Do you know how to use it?

• In a fire, could you leave the building by the front door without using a key and reach a place of safety?

• Do gas appliances work properly? Is there discolouring around gas fires or the top of water heaters?

• Have you seen the Gas Safety Certificate that the landlord should get for your home each year?

• Do electrical wires trail where they can be damaged, be in contact with water or be a trip hazard?

• Are electrical sockets overloaded, overheating, or giving electric shocks? Are wires old or damaged?

• Is furniture labelled as complying with fire regulations and a warning that 'Carelessness causes fire'?

• Do people who are young, elderly, have a disability or who are otherwise less able to react to an accident or emergency situation live in or visit your home? Is special care, advice or help needed?

Who is responsible?

Even if you are renting accommodation, although your landlord has certain responsibilities, it is vitally important that you take time to help yourself by safety checking your own home surroundings - it may prevent an accident or even save your life!

Under Management Regulations that apply to houses in multiple occupation, a landlord has a duty to make sure that adequate precautions are taken to protect the safety of residents. If this applies to you, you may find that your landlord or managing agent will help you and you must tell them of your concerns.

Who else can help?

At the Council:

Housing Standards Team - (01823) 356341.

Somerset Trading Standards: 0845 3459188

Also try contacting organisations such as:

*Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents - 0121 248 2000.

Other useful telephone numbers

Gas Emergencies - call British Gas - 0800 111 999

NHS Direct - 0845 4647

please BE SAFE!

HOME SAFETY INFORMATION

        Fire safety

        Fire is an obvious serious risk, but that risk can be reduced by:

• detection - smoke detectors and alarms give early warning of fire
• preventing the spread - fire doors and self-closing devices reduce the spread of flames and smoke
• a safe escape route - a clearly marked, unobstructed escape route with emergency lighting provides a safe, quick escape from fire.

  Within a house in multiple occupation your landlord has a responsibility to provide adequate means of escape in case of fire and to make sure that all fire precautions are regularly tested and maintained by a suitably qualified person, such as a NICEIC* registered contractor. The landlord must make sure that all residents and visitors are aware of what action to take in a fire.

  If there's a fire:

• alert people by raising the alarm;
• contain the fire by closing doors as you make your escape;
• evacuate people, get out, stay out and call the Fire Service immediately.

  Cooking fat and chip pans cause many fires at home. Fire blankets should be readily accessible in the kitchen area and you should know how and when to use them. Do you?

  Gas, electrics and faulty appliances

  Landlords must ensure that all gas installations and appliances are safety checked and maintained by a CORGI* registered gas engineer at least once a year, and that copies of this report are available to tenants. Are they safe?

• If you suspect a gas leak, contact British Gas immediately.

  Only buy second-hand gas appliances from a reputable dealer with a certificate of safety check. Faulty gas appliances can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning which can kill if undetected! Carbon monoxide has no colour, no smell and no taste, so it is difficult to detect. Watch out for the danger signs such as:

• discolouring around a gas fire or at the top of a water heater;
• a yellow or orange flame on a gas fire or water heater;
• a strange smell when the gas appliance is on.

  If you suspect that a faulty appliance may be leading to carbon monoxide build-up, contact British Gas immediately.

  You can buy carbon monoxide detectors from British Gas or from reputable DIY stores.

  All work to electrical installations and appliances should be done by a competent person, ideally by a NICEIC* registered electrician.

  Faulty or misused electrics can cause fire or electrocution!

  Electrical wires or extension leads must not trail where they can be damaged, come into contact with water or be a trip hazard.

  Don't overload electrical sockets.

  Only buy second-hand electrical appliances from a reputable dealer with a certificate of safety check. Take care with heating appliances and with appliances where door interlocks are appropriate, such as washing machines.

  Thermostats for hot water supplies should not exceed 54°C (130°F) to avoid risk of scalding.

  Whether gas or electric, keep heating appliances away from flammable materials!

  Furniture and furnishings

  All furniture and furnishings, whether new or second-hand, supplied in letting accommodation must comply with fire safety standards.

  The fire safety of any other furniture or furnishings that you use yourself is obviously just as important. Checking whether or not an armchair, for example, meets the relevant standard is not easy but, if you are in any doubt, check labels and be suspicious of old items. For further advice, contact the Council's Trading Standards Service on 01332 716 315.

  Smoking, alcohol and drugs

  Careless smoking is a very high source of fire in the home - take care!

  Alcohol and drugs can make us act less responsibly and make it more likely that we will have, or cause, an accident - again take care!

  *CORGI is: the Council of Registered Gas Installers.

  *NICEIC is: the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting.

  please BE SAFE!