Home safety

Book a family home safety check

We offer free home safety checks for all residents with young children living within our electoral area.

The checks offer tips on all aspects of home safety, as well as specialist advice on topics like heating and energy saving.

A room-by-room inspection usually takes around 30 minutes and our advisors can:

• show you the potential risk areas in your home, for example blind cords or poisoning risks
• provide tailored advice on how to make your home safer
• arrange for safety equipment to be delivered to your home*
• refer you for a free smoke alarm installation.

* equipment is provided subject to the result of the home safety check and stock availability. 

Email envhealth@belfastcity.gov.uk to request a home safety check. We will send you an application form which you will need to complete and return to us.

Book a home safety check and repair visit for seniors

If you are over 65, you can request a free home safety check and use our repair scheme. We’ve worked with the Public Health Agency and Bryson Energy to develop this scheme, which offers reduced handy-person repair rates and a selection of free helping-hand aids and equipment (subject to stock availability).

The home safety check includes energy saving advice and information on how to stay safe while keeping warm. You may also receive a thermal clothing pack (subject to eligibility and stock availability).

The handy-person may be able to carry out tasks such as:

• fitting curtain rails,
• door repairs,
• fitting door chains,
• clearing and laying salt on paths during winter,
• fixing floorboards,
• changing light bulbs,
• draught proofing windows or doors,
• adjusting heating timers,
• fitting carbon monoxide alarms.

The reduced handy-person repair rates depend on each person’s circumstances.

All materials to be supplied by the occupant. General items such as glue, nails and sandpaper will be provided free of charge.

You can email handyman@brysonenergy.org, or freephone 08001 422 865 for more information.

Tumble dryers

Whirlpool have updated advice to consumers in relation to an ongoing issue they have been addressing on potentially faulty dryers.  There is a safety defect caused when excess fluff touches the heating element which has been linked to a fire in a tower block in London.

Anyone who owns an Indesit, Hotpoint, Creda, Swan or Proline dryer that was manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015 should check if their appliance has been affected and then register for a free modification if this is the case.  You can do this by checking the Hotpoint website, Indesit website and Swan website or by phoning a dedicated freephone helpline on 0800 151 0905.  If you believe that your tumble dryer could be affected you are advised to unplug it and not to use it until the safety modification has been made.

Fire safety

Make sure you:

• have a working smoke alarm
• test your smoke alarm every week
• have and practice a fire escape plan
• know the five main causes of house fire

Before you go to bed:

• close all internal doors
• put out cigarettes and candles properly
• check that the cooker is off
• switch off unwanted electrical appliances

For more information, visit www.nifrs.org (link opens in new window) or call 028 9266 4221.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that has no smell, colour or taste. It can be released by any appliance that burns oil, solid fuel, wood or gas, including boilers.

When you inhale carbon monoxide it starves your body of oxygen. Low level exposure over a long period can cause permanent brain damage and in more serious cases death. Make sure you are aware of the symptoms and how to protect yourself. You should also install a carbon monoxide detector and get all appliances tested yearly.

If you think there are carbon monoxide fumes in your home or suspect that a flue or heating appliance is blocked or faulty, you should switch off the appliance and open your window. You should not sleep in the room.

We can investigate complaints regarding fumes or carbon monoxide entering your property. Call us on 028 9027 0428 for more information. 

For more information about the dangers and symptoms of carbon monoxide, visit the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland website (link opens in new window).

Blind cord safety

The Public Health Agency has a blind cord safety campaign.

It takes only 18 seconds for a toddler to lose their life on a blind cord. If you have blinds fitted in your home, there are simple precautions that you can take:

• if any blind has a cord or chain that is looped or could form a loop, use a safety device to keep the cord or chain securely tidied away out of their reach
• do not place a child’s cot, bed, high chair or playpen near to a window blind
• do not put sofas, chairs, tables, shelves or bookcases near a window blind as children like to climb

For more information on blind cord safety, you can watch a short video that highlights the dangers or download the Make it Safe leaflet (link opens in new window).

To request blind cord safety devices for your home or a free home safety check call us on 028 9027 0428.