Home safety & security

It is important that you reduce the risk of fire in your home. Fires can spread quickly and cause significant damage.

We provide smoke alarms for all homes, but you should test your smoke alarms regularly, to ensure that it is working correctly.

Common causes of a fire are cigarettes and candles left on. For all flammable items, these should never be left unattended and they should be put out correctly after use.

Overloaded plug sockets can also lead to electrical fires. Avoid using extension cables and cable reels, where possible. And if you do use them, switch them off when not in use.

It is important to plan for an emergency to ensure you are prepared. You should know your escape route and keep your escape route clear (especially common areas).

You can get a free fire safety visit from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

We will carry out annual gas safety check in your home. This check is vital to ensure that everything is working, and your home is safe. You should ensure that the gas appliances are used correctly and ventilation is never blocked.

If you smell gas and suspect a leak then:

• turn off all gas appliances

• put out any cigarettes

• open all doors and windows

• don’t use matches or naked flames

• turn the gas off at the meter

• don’t switch on any electrical switches or appliances

• don’t press buttons on the door entry systems

• Call emergency service SGN as soon as you can on 0800 111 999.

All gas appliances installed will have a carbon monoxide detector. This is a device similar to a smoke alarm, fitted on your ceiling close to a gas appliance.

An alarm will sound in the presence of carbon monoxide. If this happens, call National Grid’s emergency helpline on 0800 111 999.

We will check these when we conduct your annual gas safety check but if the alarm is broken, please contact us immediately.

Asbestos is banned from building materials from 1999 onwards. However, it can still be found in some properties (commonly in floor tiles, wall boards, pipework coating, textured coatings, etc.).

Asbestos containing materials (ACMs), are not a significant health risk if they are in good condition and not disturbed. They can cause health problems if they are disturbed and cause the fibres to be released into the air (and you inhale these).

If you plan to carry out any DIY at home, and are worried about asbestos, please contact a member of the repairs team. We have a register of all asbestos in our properties and will be able to provide you advice and guidance.

Legionella is a bacteria that can cause a pneumonia-like illness. It lives in the natural environment but can thrive in the right temperatures (20-45°C).

Water systems in homes can be at risk of growing this bacteria, and if droplets of contaminated water is inhaled, it can lead to this illness.

To reduce the risk in your home, you should:

• Keep hot water hot (the bacteria is killed by temperatures over 60°C).

• Keep cold water cold (below 20°C).

• Run the water at least 2-mintues once a week (especially if you don’t use it often and you have returned from a break).

Contact a member of the repairs team if you think there is an issue with your boiler or hot water tank.

Don’t let unidentified callers into your home. If anyone tries to gain entry to your home or if you’re suspicious, call the Police.

Always check the identification of any callers to your home. Photographic identification provided by any organisation, such as Scottish Gas, should always have a phone number you can call to check their identity.

All of our employees will carry photographic identification with our logo and telephone number. If in doubt, call us.

Please let us know if you have had any bogus callers, to help us warm other more vulnerable tenants in the community.

It is important to keep your home secure and while we often remember to do this when we go on holiday, an opportunistic burglar will take any advantage when they see it.

• Keep windows closed and locked when you are not home.

• Invest in light timers to make it less obvious you are not in.

• Avoid publicising you are away on social media (just share your pics when you are home).

• Keep access routes clear (don’t leave items in gardens or common areas that could be used to gain access to higher areas).

• Don’t leave notes for delivery drivers to leave ‘round the back’.

• Use the security features of your property, if you have them (don’t leave doors unlocked for ease of access).

If you think you’ve been burgled when you arrive home, don’t go inside unless you’re sure the intruder has gone. Call the Police to report the burglary, and carry out the following:

• make a list of any missing items

• inform your home insurance company and consider making a claim (they may ask for a crime reference number which you can get from the Police)

• cancel any stolen bank cards

• contact us to arrange a lock change.