- Home
- customer area
- Keeping your home safe
January 2022: Please be aware that we are currently experiencing a high volume of calls as well as delays on some services due to COVID-19 and our new IT system, but we’re here for you. Apologies for any inconvenience. Keep updated on our services here.
Home safety
Making sure your home is safe and warm is a priority for us. Here are some of the ways we do this
Every tenant and resident has the right to a decent and safe home and the ‘Your Home, Your Safety’ guide explains the steps we take to keep you, your family, neighbours and your home safe.
The guide was developed with involved customers and outlines safety information, the responsibility of both Torus and that of the tenant and covers, gas, fire, electrical, asbestos, water, lifts, communal areas and seasonal safety.
Working together we all have a responsibility to keep everyone safe.
Every tenant and resident has the right to a decent and safe home and the ‘Your Home, Your Safety’ guide explains the steps we take to keep you, your family, neighbours and your home safe.
The guide was developed with involved customers and outlines safety information, the responsibility of both Torus and that of the tenant and covers, gas, fire, electrical, asbestos, water, lifts, communal areas and seasonal safety.
Working together we all have a responsibility to keep everyone safe.
- 1. Gas safety
- Turn off gas supply at the meter
- Open windows and doors
- Put out any naked flames
- Keep away from the affected area
- Do not use electrical switches
- Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999
- 2. Fire safety
- Keeping exists free from clutter
- Don't leave bikes, prams or mobility scooters in communal areas
- Don't wedge fire doors open, closed doors stop fire spreading
- Check your smoke alarm regularly
- Never leave cooking unattended
- Always extinguish cigarettes or candles
- Don’t overload electrical sockets or extension leads
- Register your appliances for important safety updates, recalls and information at www.registermyappliance.org.uk
- 3. Water safety
- People over the age of 45
- Smokers and heavy drinkers
- People with chronic respiratory or kidney disease
- Anyone with an impaired immune system
- If the house has been empty for a week or more,
we recommend running both the hot and cold taps for at least two minutes - Remove the showerhead and run the water for at least 10 minutes
- Flush toilet twice to circulate fresh water
- Showerheads should be cleaned every 3 to 6 months
- 4. Asbestos in the home
- Cement/insulating board soffit boards
- Lining boards to cupboards & cupboard doors
- Corrugated cement garage roofing
- Cement gutters & rainwater pipes
- Old cement flue pipes or soil pipe from the WC
- Textured coatings like Artex found to ceilings or walls
- Plastic floor tiles & paper backed lino
- If the asbestos is in good condition leave it alone
- If the asbestos gets damaged let us know ASAP
- If you are thinking about doing some DIY let us know what and where
- Don’t start any DIY projects without contacting us first
- Basic painting and decorating is fine, but be careful not to damage Artex.
- Never drill, sand or strip areas that may contain asbestos
- Avoid fitting shelving (drilling and screwing) in cupboards unless you know there’s no Asbestos in them
- Never remove walls, saw holes into ceilings or sand Artex coatings
- Remove or repair any high-risk materials
- Manage and monitor any low or very low risk materials
- Perform regular safety inspections to check the condition of any asbestos
Why gas safety matters
If your boiler, cooker and gas appliances aren't checked on a regular basis, you are at risk of gas leaks.
A leaking gas appliance can cause explosions. Boilers, fires and cookers that aren't well maintained can produce carbon monoxide gas. You can't see, smell or taste it but its affects can be fatal.
What we do
To check everything is OK we need to service your boiler and check any pipework and appliances every year.
This 30 minute inspection, once a year, can help save money on fuel bills and keep you safe, that’s why 99% of customers let us in to inspect their boiler straight away.
If we’ve made an appointment for your gas check that you can’t make, please let us know and we’ll change it for one that suits you better.
What to do if you smell gas or fumes
We take fire safety very seriously
If you live in a flat block, fire risk assessments are conducted by independent fire professionals every year. Each month checks are made in shared areas to identify any fire or safety risks.
How you can help
Basic rules to stay safe at home
Every five years we’ll check the electrics in your home to make sure they’re safe and working properly.
Legionella bacteria can develop in the hot and cold water systems of homes if they've been empty for a week or more. Inhaling droplets of contaminated water can cause legionnaire's disease, a pneumonia-like illness that is potentially fatal. Although the risk of contracting legionnaire's disease is really low, certain people are at a higher risk, these include:
Legionella within the home
Here are some tips and precautions to help you reduce the risk of legionella in your home. These are useful when you're moving into a property that's been empty for a while or if you're returning home after a holiday of short time away.
Stay safe by following this advice
If your home was built before the year 2000 there’s a possibility that some materials used to construct it may contain asbestos.
Don’t worry, asbestos shouldn’t pose any risks if you allow us to make regular inspection checks to any affected areas and follow the advice given.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is an additive used in insulation and fire-resistant materials that was widely used in the building trade until the end of the last century.
Left undisturbed these materials are very safe. It’s only when they are disturbed or damaged and fibres and dust are released that problems can occur because breathing this in can be harmful.
It’s also why we may arrange to further inspect your home if we’re fitting a new kitchen or bathroom for example.
If your home hasn’t been inspected for asbestos, we pick this up as well as doing a more intrusive inspection before any major work. This goes beyond the surface of walls, floors and ceilings and anywhere else the work will affect. This helps us reduce the risk to you and our workers.
Keeping you and your family safe is a priority for us. Therefore you must always ask permission before doing any DIY in your home.
How can I tell if I have asbestos in my home?
You won’t be able to tell if any material in your home contains asbestos, but we can. Our specialist asbestos surveyors and inspection team will thoroughly assess your home. You will be made aware if any evidence of asbestos is found, provided with a written report and advice on how to stay safe.
Don’t worry, most asbestos products in the home are very low risk and can be monitored and left in place. Any high-risk asbestos products will be removed, repaired or enclosed to make them safe.
We’ll re-inspect the condition of any asbestos items as part of our regular checks for your safety.
Where might I find asbestos?
Asbestos was used to make building materials in UK homes right up until the year 2000. In most cases, unless the material has suffered significant damage, there’s no need to worry about it.
However, you are advised to avoid disturbing any of the materials outlined here and report any accidental damage to us as soon as it happens.
Typically, asbestos might be found in:
What should I do if you find asbestos in my home?
You may be alarmed because you’ve probably heard stories about asbestos but please don’t panic.
What to do
What not to do
What we will do
Letting us into your home to perform these routine inspections helps us keep you and your family safe and that’s a priority for us. Please make sure that you keep your inspection appointments.
If we make an appointment that isn’t convenient or if you have any questions or concerns at all just give us a call.
We’re here to help.
Please make sure that you keep your inspection appointments.
If we make an appointment that isn’t convenient or if you have any questions or concerns at all just give us a call.
Call us on 0800 678 1894.
Send a message
Why gas safety matters
If your boiler, cooker and gas appliances aren't checked on a regular basis, you are at risk of gas leaks.
A leaking gas appliance can cause explosions. Boilers, fires and cookers that aren't well maintained can produce carbon monoxide gas. You can't see, smell or taste it but its affects can be fatal.
What we do
To check everything is OK we need to service your boiler and check any pipework and appliances every year.
This 30 minute inspection, once a year, can help save money on fuel bills and keep you safe, that’s why 99% of customers let us in to inspect their boiler straight away.
If we’ve made an appointment for your gas check that you can’t make, please let us know and we’ll change it for one that suits you better.
What to do if you smell gas or fumes
- Turn off gas supply at the meter
- Open windows and doors
- Put out any naked flames
- Keep away from the affected area
- Do not use electrical switches
- Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999
We take fire safety very seriously
If you live in a flat block, fire risk assessments are conducted by independent fire professionals every year. Each month checks are made in shared areas to identify any fire or safety risks.
How you can help
- Keeping exists free from clutter
- Don't leave bikes, prams or mobility scooters in communal areas
- Don't wedge fire doors open, closed doors stop fire spreading
Basic rules to stay safe at home
- Check your smoke alarm regularly
- Never leave cooking unattended
- Always extinguish cigarettes or candles
- Don’t overload electrical sockets or extension leads
- Register your appliances for important safety updates, recalls and information at www.registermyappliance.org.uk
Every five years we’ll check the electrics in your home to make sure they’re safe and working properly.
Legionella bacteria can develop in the hot and cold water systems of homes if they've been empty for a week or more. Inhaling droplets of contaminated water can cause legionnaire's disease, a pneumonia-like illness that is potentially fatal. Although the risk of contracting legionnaire's disease is really low, certain people are at a higher risk, these include:
- People over the age of 45
- Smokers and heavy drinkers
- People with chronic respiratory or kidney disease
- Anyone with an impaired immune system
Legionella within the home
Here are some tips and precautions to help you reduce the risk of legionella in your home. These are useful when you're moving into a property that's been empty for a while or if you're returning home after a holiday of short time away.
- If the house has been empty for a week or more,
we recommend running both the hot and cold taps for at least two minutes - Remove the showerhead and run the water for at least 10 minutes
- Flush toilet twice to circulate fresh water
- Showerheads should be cleaned every 3 to 6 months
Stay safe by following this advice
If your home was built before the year 2000 there’s a possibility that some materials used to construct it may contain asbestos.
Don’t worry, asbestos shouldn’t pose any risks if you allow us to make regular inspection checks to any affected areas and follow the advice given.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is an additive used in insulation and fire-resistant materials that was widely used in the building trade until the end of the last century.
Left undisturbed these materials are very safe. It’s only when they are disturbed or damaged and fibres and dust are released that problems can occur because breathing this in can be harmful.
It’s also why we may arrange to further inspect your home if we’re fitting a new kitchen or bathroom for example.
If your home hasn’t been inspected for asbestos, we pick this up as well as doing a more intrusive inspection before any major work. This goes beyond the surface of walls, floors and ceilings and anywhere else the work will affect. This helps us reduce the risk to you and our workers.
Keeping you and your family safe is a priority for us. Therefore you must always ask permission before doing any DIY in your home.
How can I tell if I have asbestos in my home?
You won’t be able to tell if any material in your home contains asbestos, but we can. Our specialist asbestos surveyors and inspection team will thoroughly assess your home. You will be made aware if any evidence of asbestos is found, provided with a written report and advice on how to stay safe.
Don’t worry, most asbestos products in the home are very low risk and can be monitored and left in place. Any high-risk asbestos products will be removed, repaired or enclosed to make them safe.
We’ll re-inspect the condition of any asbestos items as part of our regular checks for your safety.
Where might I find asbestos?
Asbestos was used to make building materials in UK homes right up until the year 2000. In most cases, unless the material has suffered significant damage, there’s no need to worry about it.
However, you are advised to avoid disturbing any of the materials outlined here and report any accidental damage to us as soon as it happens.
Typically, asbestos might be found in:
- Cement/insulating board soffit boards
- Lining boards to cupboards & cupboard doors
- Corrugated cement garage roofing
- Cement gutters & rainwater pipes
- Old cement flue pipes or soil pipe from the WC
- Textured coatings like Artex found to ceilings or walls
- Plastic floor tiles & paper backed lino
What should I do if you find asbestos in my home?
You may be alarmed because you’ve probably heard stories about asbestos but please don’t panic.
What to do
- If the asbestos is in good condition leave it alone
- If the asbestos gets damaged let us know ASAP
- If you are thinking about doing some DIY let us know what and where
What not to do
- Don’t start any DIY projects without contacting us first
- Basic painting and decorating is fine, but be careful not to damage Artex.
- Never drill, sand or strip areas that may contain asbestos
- Avoid fitting shelving (drilling and screwing) in cupboards unless you know there’s no Asbestos in them
- Never remove walls, saw holes into ceilings or sand Artex coatings
What we will do
- Remove or repair any high-risk materials
- Manage and monitor any low or very low risk materials
- Perform regular safety inspections to check the condition of any asbestos
Letting us into your home to perform these routine inspections helps us keep you and your family safe and that’s a priority for us. Please make sure that you keep your inspection appointments.
If we make an appointment that isn’t convenient or if you have any questions or concerns at all just give us a call.
We’re here to help.
Please make sure that you keep your inspection appointments.
If we make an appointment that isn’t convenient or if you have any questions or concerns at all just give us a call.
Call us on 0800 678 1894.
Send a message