🏡 Your Safety Matters - Let's Keep Your Home Safe Together
A friendly guide to helping you feel safe and supported in your home
Welcome to the Safety First Campaign
We want to help you feel comfortable, confident, and safe in your home. This Safety First campaign is here to give you clear, useful information about keeping your property safe and making sure the important checks are completed on time.
Why Are Safety Checks Carried Out?
Safety checks help us keep your home comfortable, protected, and working as it should. Here’s why they matter:
Resident safety: They help spot anything that could put you or your household at risk. Protecting your home: They help prevent damage and reduce the chance of avoidable accidents.
Meeting our responsibilities: They help ensure Auxesia Homes stays on top of the safety duties required of us.
Peace of mind: They give you the reassurance that your home is being looked after.
📋 Legal Requirements for Landlords
We take our legal responsibilities seriously because they help keep your home safe. That includes regular checks and maintenance for gas appliances, electrical installations, and fire safety equipment. These checks are an important part of making sure everything stays in good working order for you.
🔥 Gas Safety
Gas appliances need a little care and attention to stay safe. If they are not looked after properly, they can create serious risks such as carbon monoxide poisoning or explosions. That is why all gas appliances and flues are checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is a Gas Safety Check?
A Gas Safety Check is a full check of your gas meter, pipework, and gas appliances in the home. The Gas Safe registered engineer will make sure everything is working safely and efficiently, and you’ll receive a Gas Safety Record once the check is complete. The Gas Safe Engineer will only check appliances owned by Auxesia, however, they will carry out a visual inspection of the cooker and advise if any further action is necessary.
⚠ Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness
Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that can be very dangerous because you cannot see or smell it. The good news is that a working alarm and the right response can help keep you safe. Symptoms of CO poisoning can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness or death.
If your Carbon Monoxide alarm sounds:
- Immediately turn off all gas appliances.
- Open all doors and windows to ventilate the property.
- Evacuate the property and do not re-enter until it is deemed safe by a professional.
- Call the National Gas Emergency Number: 0800 111 999 from a safe location (e.g., a neighbour's house or your mobile once outside).
⚡ Electrical Safety
Electricity is something we all rely on every day, and a few simple checks can make a big difference. Faulty equipment and installations can lead to house fires or electric shocks, so we keep a close eye on electrical safety across our homes.
💡 Electrical Safety Risks
Here are some common things to watch out for:
Too many things plugged in: Overloading a socket can create extra heat and increase the risk of problems.
Damaged cables: Frayed or worn wiring can expose live parts and should be checked right away.
Faulty appliances: Old or damaged appliances may not work safely.
Poorly fitted installations: Electrical work that has not been done properly can be dangerous.
🔌 How Auxesia Homes Keeps You Electrically Safe
We use a few different checks to help keep your home safe and your electrics in good condition:
EICR checks: We carry out full Electrical Installation Condition Reports on all our properties every 5 years to check the safety of the fixed electrical systems in your home.
Qualified electricians: Any electrical work is carried out by qualified professionals.
Electrical Safety Tips for Residents
A few everyday habits can help keep things running safely at home:
Plugs and sockets: Use plugs that are in good condition, make sure they are fully inserted, and try not to overload sockets with too many adapters or extension leads.
Leads and cables: Keep cables neat and avoid placing them under carpets or rugs where they can get damaged or overheat.
Appliances: Use appliances that are in good working order and unplug them when they are not being used, especially items like toasters, kettles, and hair dryers.
Bathroom safety: Keep electrical items away from water, and remember that bathroom sockets must be RCD protected.
Reporting a Fault
If something does not seem right, such as flickering lights, sparking sockets, or circuit breakers that keep tripping, please report it immediately to the Auxesia Homes maintenance team. It is always best to let a professional take a look.
📬 What to Do When You Receive Your Appointment Letter
When your appointment letter arrives, it will tell you everything you need to know about your upcoming safety check. Here’s a simple guide to help you get ready:
- Take a look at the details: Check the date, time, and which safety check is planned for your home.
- Make sure someone is in: Please have someone over 18 at the property during the appointment time so the engineer can get access.
- Clear the way: Help the engineer by making sure they can easily reach important areas like the boiler and gas meter.
- Let us know if plans change: If you cannot keep the appointment, please contact us at least 48 hours in advance so we can rearrange it for you.
