Safety Problems With Ely Homes

A survey carried out by East Cambridgeshire District Council has revealed that one in five homes in the district have significant safety problems.

The research found that 23 per cent of private sector homes have what is classed as a ‘category 1 hazard’. This is a hazard within your home that can cause personal harm.

The district has a higher percentage of category 1 hazards in privately rented properties and there is a higher than average number of privately rented properties within the district.

These hazards can be items such as dangerous or obsolete wiring, which could result in the risk of electrical shock, inadequate heating and insulation, dampness due to a leaking roof or steep or uneven stairs which, could lead to falls.

Officers are trying to encourage occupiers to look for hazards within their homes and to make improvements to remove these.

They should make sure that gas boilers are serviced annually, that there are no trailing electrical wires or other trip hazards, they have working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and their electrical installations are safe.

There is a Home Safety checklist on www.eastcambs.gov.uk or within the leaflet ‘Information for Tenants’ that occupiers can use to check safety in their home.

Liz Knox, Head of Environment Services, said: "With the cold weather really biting at the moment, more of us are spending our free time indoors as winter takes hold. This is why the results of our research need to be taken on board. With one in five homes having a safety issue of one form or another it is really important to get things fixed.

“The impact on your home can be significant but it can also save huge sums of money to organisations such as the NHS if accidents are prevented. If you rent your property and your landlord won’t carry out repairs our officers will inspect your property to give advice.’

For anyone looking for advice and information on dealing with hazards, repairs or fuel poverty please contact the Environmental Health (Domestic Team) team on 01353 665555.