Home Safety Advice

Home safety is very important to protect yourself, your family and your neighbours. This section contains information and advice on how to keep your home safe from fire, gas leak, electrical problems, asbestos and condensation.

General safety advice

• Never block air vents or airbricks
• Never let children play near glass
• For safer deep-fat frying, use an electric fryer rather than an open pan
• Take extra care with boiling water or liquids in kettles or pans, especially if there are children around
• Plan your storage so you do not have to keep heavy items on high shelves
• Keep medicines in a lockable cabinet and away from children. Return any unused medicines to a local pharmacist
• Keep chemicals such as bleach, turpentine or caustic soda in a safe place where children can't see or reach them
• Be realistic with DIY jobs – a qualified person should always do gas or electrical renewal or repair work
• Always keep an eye on children when they are playing. Never leave sharp tools lying around, help children avoid small objects and stay with small children at all times when they are in the bath or a garden pool
• Some rented properties may have front doors and some internal doors, such as kitchen doors, with self closing devices to help prevent fire spreading. You must not tamper with these
• Do not enter or allow anyone else to enter restricted areas. This can include lift rooms, water tank rooms, the roof or electrical cupboards

Please click the links on the left hand page for more information on fire, gas leaks, electrical problems, asbestos and condensation.

Customer Service Centre
Tel: 020 7525 5000
csc@southwark.gov.uk