News 9 UR OLDER TENANTS ARE GEARED UP FOR THE COLD WEATHER


Trouble with your home


IF YOU have a frozen or burst pipe, your heating or boiler breaks down or tiles blow off your roof, you can call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0800 479 7979. Our advisors will talk you


through what to do and arrange for a tradesman to call as soon as possible. In the meantime, follow these tips if you have frozen pipes: • Never attempt to thaw out frozen pipes by switching on your immersion heater or central heating boiler • Instead, check for leaking joints or bursts in the pipes • Then gently heat any frozen sections with a hairdryer or a heated cloth wrapped around the pipe. Never use a direct flame. If you have a burst pipe:


and safe this winter


draught-proofing. A radiator reflector will be


fitted to help reduce heat loss and tenants will be shown how to turn the water off in an emergency. Tenants will also get advice


by following our simple advice i


on keeping their home warm and helpful tips on how to cut their fuel bills. Last winter, almost 4000


New GHA Chair Bernadette Hewitt said: “We always want to make sure our older and vulnerable tenants stay safe and warm at home over the winter. “Our free winter home checks are a great way of giving tenants peace of mind


• Make sure cigarettes are put out properly. Never smoke in bed.


• Keep portable heaters away from curtains and never use them for drying clothes.


• Unplug heaters when you go to bed. If you have gas appliances, you should have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. If you don’t, phone us on 0800 479 7979.


• Never leave an electric blanket switched on when you’re in bed. Check your blanket for damage. If in doubt, don’t use it.


• Make sure candles are put out before you go to bed.


• Unplug fairy lights and switch off electrical appliances when you go to bed. Close all doors – it can keep your escape route free


tenants got their homes checked.


that their homes are in the best shape for the cold weather.” Remember, you can book GHA’s free Handyperson service for help with small tasks around the home. To book your winter home check, call


0800 479 7979 and quote ‘wintercheck20’.


from smoke and may stop a fire spreading. Make sure you have access to a phone.


• Think about how you would get out of the house if there is a fire. If there is a fire, close the door where the fire is to protect your escape route and stop the fire spreading quickly. Get out, stay out and dial 999.


• Find the stop valve and turn it off immediately


• Turn on all cold taps to drain the system, but never turn on the hot taps


• If you live in a multi-storey and you have no hot or cold water, turn off all taps until service returns


• Call us on 0800479 79 79. You can find more handy tips at www.facebook.com/ glasgowhousing


Home fire safety visit


KEEP safe by arranging a free home fire safety visit from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. A visit takes around 20 minutes and can help you spot fire hazards and make sure your home is safer. Firefighters will help you plan what to do if fire does break out – and can fit smoke alarms free of charge. To arrange a home fire safety visit, call 0800 0731 999 or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk


theKEY - www.gha.org.uk


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