Safety and security

By taking a few simple precautions, you can prevent danger to your home or distress to your family.

Smell of gas - what to do

Call National Grid (Gas) - 0800 111999 from outside your home. Using a phone inside could cause an explosion.

Smoke detectors. We strongly advise you to fit a smoke detector. You should test it regularly, and replace the battery if it starts beeping.
Cigarettes. Make sure all cigarettes are properly put out.
Don't dry clothes over gas or electric fires or heaters.
Don't leave the kitchen when using chip pans.
Don't smoke in bed.

Faulty gas appliances can produce carbon monoxide fumes. This is poisonous and can kill.
We service and repair any appliances we have installed, and carry out a gas safety check once a year. You must, by law, allow us into your home to carry out this safety check.
Keep rooms well ventilated and make sure vents are not blocked or closed.
Use CORGI registered installers to connect and service your gas appliances.

Don't leave a bath while the water is running.
Make sure washing machines are properly plumbed in.
If a pipe bursts, turn off the water at the stopcock. It is usually under the kitchen sink. Also turn off any water heaters. Turn all taps on to drain the water from the tank and then turn them off again.

Unplug appliances when not in use.
Isolate any loose or faulty switches, plugs or sockets. Turn off the supply to that circuit. See Handy hints - trip switches . Unplug appliances and call the Housing Contact Centre.
Don't touch bare wires or wet fittings. Turn off the supply to that circuit at the consumer unit.
Don't use double adaptors. Use one appliance at a time in a socket. If necessary, use a multipoint extension.
Don't install new electrical fittings, eg showers, without our permission and advice.
Report any fault to us immediately.

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 even if they appear genuine.

If you have a door viewer (spy hole), check to see who is at the door, before opening it.
If you have a chain, keep it on when you open the door.
If you don't know the caller, ask to see some form of identification, and check it carefully.
If you are unsure, ask the caller to wait outside while you telephone the organisation they claim to represent.
If someone calls to carry out a repair on behalf of Hackney Homes, check their job instructions and see if it matches the job number we have given you. If not, call the Housing Contact Centre.
When you go out in the evening, draw the curtains and leave a light on in a main room.
When you go away fit a timer to a living room lamp to make the house look occupied.
Arrange with a neighbour to keep an eye on each others' houses.
If you are going away for more than 12 weeks, you must let us know when you are going to return and how we can contact you.