Safe and sound

Being prepared in the event of a home emergency could limit the potential damage to your home.

Put our useful home safety guide to the test and make sure your home is safe and sound.

·         Burst pipes

If your pipes burst, turn off all stopcocks.

What’s a stopcock? A valve attached to the pipes that stops the flow of water.

Where do I find the stopcock? The first stopcock is usually in the kitchen beside or under the sink. The stopcock for your storage tank that supplies your cistern and bathroom is usually in the bathroom or a bedroom.

If you can’t stop the water immediately, turn on all the cold taps to drain the pipes. Don’t turn on the hot taps. Turn off your central hearing and electric immersion heaters.

·         Frozen pipes

If your pipes are frozen, turn off the stopcocks.

If you can see that the pipe has split, empty the cold water out. You can do this by turning on the cold taps, flushing the toilet or by siphoning water from your cistern.

If the pipe is intact, thaw it out slowly using hot water bottles or a hair dryer.

You can prevent your pipes from freezing by lagging them with foam pipe protectors.

·         Gas leak

Turn off the gas at the control valve.

Where is the control valve? It is usually attached to the pipe coming off your gas meter and it is often on the left-hand side.

Open all your doors and windows. Whatever you do, do not light a match, cigarette or turn on electrical switches until the gas has cleared. If there is an open flame burning, put it out. Call Transco, the 24 hour national gas emergency service on 0800 111 999 and report your gas leak.

·         Fire

Fit a British Standard’s approved smoke alarm in your house. Make sure it has a kitemark and check that the batteries are working at least once a week. The most effective place to fit a smoke alarm is at the top or bottom of your stairs (if you have them). If you live in a flat, fit it in a hallway that is between your living room and the bedrooms. All smoke alarms should be at least 30cm away from the closest light fitting.

·         What to do in a fire

• Shut the door to the room where the fire is
• Close all doors behind you as you leave the building. This starves the fire of oxygen.
• Leave the building as quickly as possible
• Call 999 from outside the building

·         What to do if you are trapped by a fire

• Stop smoke from spreading by blocking any gaps under the door
• Drop to the floor and stay close to the ground to avoid smoke inhalation

For more information about fire safety, visit www.firekills.gov.uk. 

·         How to prevent home emergencies

·         Lag your pipes

·         Get your boiler checked every year

·         Know where your stopcocks and control valves are

·         Buy essential tools like a wrench and a torch

·         Fit a carbon-monoxide alarm

·         Keep a list of emergency numbers by your phone

·         Create an evacuation plan in case of fire

·         Ensure your family knows what to do in an emergency

·         Home insurance cover

Home emergencies can and do happen. Even if you know what to do and how to limit the damage to your home, it is wise to make sure you have enough home insurance. Make sure you are covered for the cost of repairs to your home and/or the replacement of items that are damaged. Most insurance companies also offer home emergency insurance that provides additional cover in times of crisis.