Making your home safe:

• Test your smoke alarm every month. Smoke alarms save lives.
• Make sure you have a plan if your smoke alarm goes off. Do not try to put out a fire yourself. Phone 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service. Be ready to tell them where you live.
• Don’t leave children alone in the kitchen when the hob or oven is on and take extra care when cooking with hot oil.
• Don't overload electric sockets, try to keep to one plug per socket, and regularly check for broken or damaged plugs and wires. 
• Cigarettes start a lot of fires. When you finish a cigarette, make sure it is right out.
• Put candles in a holder and keep them away from things that may burn, for example, curtains and papers.
• If you live in a block of flats, familiarize yourself with a local fire action plan published in the communal areas.

Flooding can cause damage not only to your property, but also to your personal belongings. We encourage all tenants to take out their own contents insurance should the worst happen. Find out more about tenant's home contents insurance.



More information on to prepare for floods if you live near a watercourse and what to do if there is a flood can be found here.

If you find a leak:

• Turn off the water supply (stop cock) or the isolation valve, depending on the nature of the leak.
• If you can’t find the stop cock, use a bucket, and place it under the leak to catch the water.
• If it’s a minor pipe leak, grab a towel and wrap it around the pipe to soak up the water.
• Then report the leak to Mears
• Please also remember to turn all the taps off, to avoid flood when water comes back on.

Further info on leaks

How to stop a leak - DIY Tips | Mears Group PLC

Further info on blockages

How to unblock a toilet - DIY Tips | Mears Group PLC

How to unblock a sink - DIY Tips | Mears Group PLC

If you have no power:

• If you have a pre-payment meter, check if you have credit. If it has credit and you believe the meter is faulty, you will need to contact your energy supplier.
• Has a fuse tripped? It’s worth checking your fuse box.
• If it looks like there has been a power cut, call 105. It’s free of charge and they will put you through to your local network operator who can give you help and advice.
  
  
  
  In the event of a power cut, Power Network advises to:
  
   
• Switch off all electrical appliances that shouldn’t be left unattended, ready for when the power comes back on.
• Leave a light on so you know when the power outage has been resolved.
• Check to see if your neighbours are OK.
• Wrap up warm.

Further info Appliance Testing - DIY Tips | Mears Group PLC

The below links will take you to information and advice on how to use and get the most efficiency from your heating systems.

Central Heating Checks - DIY Tips | Mears Group PLC



Storage Heater Systems - DIY Tips | Mears Group PLC

Condensation - Damp may be causing water droplets to form on walls, ceilings, or floors and/or black mould to form on walls, ceiling, furniture, or clothing. If you suspect you may be suffering the effects of condensation, then we ask all our tenants to follow the advice on condensation for a period of four weeks before reporting this to us. The treatment of condensation related damp is not classed as a repair unless directly linked to a building defect and may require direct action by yourselves following the guidance provided. By following this advice the effects of this problem will be reduced long term.

• Your home needs to be heated and ventilated (open windows or use extractor fans) so that water droplets do not form on windows and walls.
• If you do get water droplets on windows or walls you must dry them immediately.
• Heating and ventilation are key elements to reduce the effects of condensation dampness and by wiping down visible moisture that has formed on cold surfaces the chances of mould growth will be reduced significantly.
• If following the four-week period the problem shows no sign of improving you should contact Mears who will arrange for a home visit.

Penetrating damp - Damp occurs during rainfall which may indicate a roof/gutter leak or ground water problem. If you suspect you may have penetrating damp you should contact Mears who will arrange for a home visit.

Rising damp - There may be a visible tide mark on the ground floor walls which extends no higher than one meter from the ground causing 'salting' or damage to the decoration, plaster, or timber skirting boards. If you suspect you may have rising damp you should contact Mears who will arrange for a home visit.

Further info How to manage condensation - DIY Tips | Mears Group PLC 

Before winter arrives make sure your home can handle the falling temperatures and storms too. Here are the key seven things you should check now and some information on fuel discount schemes you may be entitled to.

1. Make sure you allow Mears to carry out the annual gas safety checks to council-fitted appliance such as boilers and fires in your home.
   
    
2. Check your heating. Turn your boiler on for at least 15 minutes (turn the room thermostat up to above current room temperature by 2 or 3 degrees) and check that all your radiators are heating up. If any radiators or controls are not working properly, get in touch with us.
   
    
3. Bleed your radiators if they are cold at the top, but not at the bottom.
   
    
4. Check for draught around windows and doors and fit draught excluders.
   
    
5. Make sure you’re on the best energy deal. Check whether you’re on the most cost-effective energy tariff by visiting websites that compare prices from different suppliers you could save more than you think. View our energy savings tips to learn more. Also see below for information on a range of fuel discount schemes for people on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits.
   
    
6. Protect your pipes. Get in touch with us if any insulation or 'lagging' around external pipes needs replacing.
   
    
7. Home insurance. Make sure you’re covered for any winter-related damage.