When the Transco engineer arrives, check his or her identification. Ask them to find the gas leak and make the gas supply safe. When they tell you what is wrong, they will ask you if they can go ahead and do the necessary repair. Do not give them permission unless you are a leaseholder and the leaking appliance is your responsibility. If you are a tenant, ask them to contact Ascham Direct on 020 8496 4197 and explain the problem. We will make sure the repair is then carried out straight away.

If you let the gas engineer carry out the work, you will have to pay any bill Transco sends you.

Electricity

To stay safe with electricity, you should:

buy good quality plugs
make sure all plugs are wired correctly
switch off the TV and hi-fi when you are not using them and before going to bed
fix a suitable fireguard in front of fires, and
get expert help for all repairs and wiring

You should never:

use an appliance with a damaged lead
use cracked or chipped plugs or sockets
run an appliance from a light fitting
overload sockets with adaptors
handle plugs, switches or any appliance if you have wet hands
allow kettle or toaster leads to overhang a work surface or touch the hot parts of a cooker
use a portable appliance in the bathroom (you can use a shaver if a special socket is fitted)
fit sockets in the bathroom, apart from shaver sockets
hang clothes over a convector or storage heater
cover or block air grilles on fan heaters, or
fit time switches or delay controls to electric fires

Smoke detectors

If a fire starts in your home, you have a better chance of escaping if you are given early warning by a smoke detector.

You should make sure that any smoke detectors in your home are working properly and test them regularly following the manufacturer’s instructions. Never use an open flame to test a detector – you may damage the detector as well as your home.

If you are buying a detector powered by mains electricity, choose one with a standby battery in case the electricity supply fails and have it fitted by a trained electrician. If a detector has batteries, remember to change the battery at least once a year or as soon as the low battery ‘beep’ sounds.

If the alarm goes off because of a fire, let everyone know immediately and leave your home by the safest route. If you have to go through a smoke-filled area, crawl with your head low.

Alert your neighbours and call the fire brigade by dialling 999. Do not return to your home until the fire brigade have told you it is safe to do so.