Get winter ready

As winter draws in the weather conditions can cause damage to your home, but with a few simple tips, you can prepare for the cold months ahead.

Test your heating

Before the weather gets too cold, it is important to check your heating is working, and that all your radiators throughout your home are working.

Check your windows and doors

Although it is important to open windows for 20 minutes a day to allow air to circulate and prevent condensation and mould, it is worth checking your doors and windows aren’t letting in any draughts, as this will help you reduce your heating costs.

Get insured

Contents insurance is designed to help protect your possessions. No matter how careful you are, there’s always a risk that your belongings could get broken or damaged or stolen, so home contents insurance can help provide peace of mind should the worst happen.

PCH do not cover your contents as part of the tenancy agreement so it’s a good idea to consider what a home contents insurance policy would cover you for in order to make an informed decision on whether your need it.

Find out more about contents insurance.

Know where your stopcock is

It’s always useful to know where your stopcock is in case of an emergency, and you have to turn off the water to limit any damage. It’s usually underneath the kitchen sink.

Make a power cut kit

Just in case, it’s always useful to have an easy to locate kit of essentials should you need them in the event of a power cut. You might want to include things like torches, candles and blankets.

Prepare your garden

With high winds usually prevalent around this time of year, it’s always important to either put away or secure down anything that could be blown away and damage your home. Sweep up any leaves and ensure your garden is clear and tidy.

Ventilation

It’s important to make sure you get the right amount of ventilation in your home – as this stops condensation and mould growing. Do things like keep the lids on your saucepans while you’re cooking, make sure all extractor fans are on while cooking or washing and open the windows in each room for about 20 minutes a day to allow air to circulate. 

Visit our website to see more information on helping with damp and mould.

Home security

Crime rates in the UK are generally higher in the winter months, make sure the locks on your doors and windows are working and in good condition.

Condensation and mould can occur when moisture is released into the air through everyday activities – and this is more likely to happen in the winter months when you’ll be tempted to keep your windows shut.

The moisture in the air comes into contact with a cold surface like a wall or window and turns into droplets of water. If it’s ignored it can cause a problem as it can cause mould to grow.

The mould can be treated by wiping down windows and walls with an anti-mould spray from your local supermarket.

We have a series of useful guides to help available on our website.

You can avoid condensation in your home with the following tips:

• Vent your tumble dryer to the outside so the warm air isn’t being released into your home
• Keep lids on your pans while you cook so that the steam can’t escape
• Don’t dry clothes on a radiator, and dry your washing outside where you can
• Use an extractor fan in your kitchen while cooking and in the bathroom while washing
• If you run a bath, put the cold in first which will reduce the amount of steam given off
• Air out your home for at least 20 minutes each day to let fresh air circulate and keep trickle vents on your windows open
• Air out cupboards and wardrobes regularly and always leave a gap behind furniture and a wall
• You can buy a dehumidifier which will take a lot of the moisture out of the air
• Regularly wipe down condensation on windows.

If you’re struggling to find the money to cover your rent this winter, the most important thing is to let us know.

We have dedicated staff who are waiting to help you and can assist with information and support about claiming benefits, recommend local charities and offer helpful advice on financial matters. Please call the Incomes Team on 0800 028 0350.

There are also many companies providing hardship grants this winter to support with the cost of utilities:

Government support

• Cost of Living Support

Local support

• Crisis support via Plymouth City Council
• Plymouth Citizens Advice
• Plymouth Energy Community
• Salvation Army Debt Advice Service (based in Whitleigh)

Occupational charities

There are several occupational charities that support people in financial hardship with a particular work history.

• SSAFA for Veterans
• Grocery Aid
• Retail Trust for shop workers
• Hospitality Action
• RCN Foundation for Nurses

Apply for a grant or support from your energy supplier

Many energy suppliers have trust funds available for those in need.

• British Gas Energy Trust
• EDF Energy Trust
• ScottishPower Hardship Fund
• EON Fund
• Shell Energy Trust Fund
• OVO Energy
• Octopus Energy Octo Assist Fund

Fire and smoke can spread very quickly. Both can kill. You, your family and visitors are responsible for preventing the outbreak of fire. Here you can find important information that advises what you can do to prevent fires and what to do if one should break out in your home. 

It is important that everyone knows how to avoid fires starting and what to do if one does start. Please see the Fire Kills Wise up fact sheet for why you must take this responsibility seriously. 

Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service offer home safety visits which will provide you with free advice about staying safe in your home. To book a free home safety visit call 0800 7311 822.

Most fires are avoidable if you follow a few simple rules:

• Test your smoke detector weekly, especially if it is battery operated only
• Check your home and make sure that it is safe from fire hazards. Pay particular attention to your kitchen, as two thirds of fires happen due to cooking
• Cookers should not be left unattended, particularly when using a chip pan
• Pay attention to electrical safety. Report all broken switches, sockets and light fittings or any exposed wiring immediately to the Repairs and Maintenance Service
• Turn off an unplug all electrical items not designed to be left on for long periods of time
• Do not use or store propane gas bottles, paraffin or other flammable liquids such as petrol
• Lit cigarettes, cigars and pipes should not be left unattended
• Keep matches away from children and ensure they can not be reached
• Candles should only be used in a stable holder, well away from curtains and other flammable materials and never be left unattended
• Do not dry or air clothes near heaters, cookers or open fires. Make sure open fires have fireguards
• Close internal doors when you retire at night.

Living in a flat

If you live in a multi-storey block of flats or maisonettes please read the Devon & Somerset fire safety in flats and high rise buildings advice on their website.

In addition to this you should also: 

• Not wedge fire doors open 
• Dispose of your rubbish responsibly. Do not allow flammable materials to be left in communal areas 
• Not smoke in communal areas. This includes landings, lifts, foyers, stairwells, walkways, community rooms and storage cage areas.

You must keep communal areas such as landings, foyers, stairwells and walkways free of obstacles. They are your way out in the event of a fire. This is because anything left in these areas could: 

• Slow people down from being able to escape, especially if they are disabled, have poor eyesight or there is smoke which will cause visibility to be reduced. This could cost lives
• Catch fire and emit smoke, which could be toxic 
• Stop firefighters from being able to move around safely to deal with emergency or rescue 

We have a legal duty to ensure that escape routes are safe. As a tenant, you also share this responsibility in your Tenancy Agreement. To ensure this we have a clear corridors policy, which states that must not leave anything outside of your flat. We understand that you may not agree with this, but we have to remove any potential obstacles such as furniture, plants and pictures from communal areas. If you have any questions please contact your Housing Officer.  

What to do in the event of a fire

• Try to be calm - don't panic 
• Don't open doors looking for the source of the fire 
• Alert everyone else in your home to the fire 
• Close all doors in your home as you leave a room, if it safe to do so. However, make sure everyone else is out of the room
• Don't stop to collect personal belongings or pets
• If you have to move through smoke, keep as close to the floor as you can, where the air is fresher
• Close the front door after the last person has left
• If you live in a flat do not use a balcony to escape from, unless it is part of an official escape route
• If there is one, do not use the lift. Always use the staircase
• When you are out of the building or at the assembly point and safe, call 999
• Remember if you have a 'pay as you go' mobile phone it will still allow calls to 999 if you have no credit
• Keep calm and speak clearly
• Do not go back into the building until you have been told it is safe to do so by the Fire Service.   

You should be especially careful with anything that has a Lithium Battery – this includes all mobile devices and tablets, things like e-scooters and e-bikes:

• Always read the safety advice in the manual
• If you need to replace a battery or charger, always use a genuine, correctly branded product
• Charge devices on a flat, solid surface – not a bed or sofa
• Do not leave anything charging unattended or overnight
• If you haven’t used an item in a while, take extra care when charging it
• Don’t leave items continuously on charge when they are fully charged
• Do not cover chargers or charging devices
• Protect batteries against damage and do not use a damaged battery
• Avoid storing, using or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures
• Never put batteries in your general waste or recycling bin.

I think I can smell gas! 

If you think you can smell gas, suspect you may be suffering from the effects of carbon monoxide or if your carbon monoxide alarm is activated you need to call 0800 111 999 immediately.

This is available 24 hours a day, every day and is free to use.

It doesn't matter what time of day or night you ring - trained operators work round-the-clock waiting to take your call and give you advice on what to do. 

In the event of an emergency: 

• Do not smoke or light matches
• Do not turn electrical switches on or off
• Open doors and windows
• Turn off the meter at the control handle unless the meter is in the cellar
• Call 0800 111 999

You'll be asked: 

• The address/location of the suspected gas escape or gas emergency 
• How many people are at the property where the smell is most noticeable 
• How long the smell has been noticeable 
• If the smell is coming from the cellar/basement 
• Are any neighbours affected 
• Your name and phone number 
• Any special circumstances or access information 

All calls to the Gas Emergency Service may be recorded and monitored.

Carbon monoxide

If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds or you suspect a leak:

• Stop using all appliances, switch them off, and open doors and windows to ventilate the property
• Evacuate the property immediately - stay calm and avoid raising your heart rate  
• Call the Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 to report the incident.
• Don't go back into the property - wait for advice from the emergency services
• Seek immediate medical help - you may not realise you've been affected by the carbon monoxide and going outside into fresh air won't treat any exposure by itself

To help you speak to the right person and get the right advice if you call PCH, we have added a 'key press' option to our phone lines. When you use the key press option, your call will be routed to the National Gas Emergency Service call centre

Repairs Freephone 0808 230 6500 - Press 1  

The only time the key press option should be used is if you suspect you have a gas leak, release of carbon monoxide or your carbon monoxide alarm is sounding.