General Information
Be Fire Safe with Free Fire Safety Checks
FREE fire safety checks are being offered to residents to help them stay safe in their homes.
Cleveland Fire Brigade is urging people to make an appointment where a local firefighter will visit the house and offer advice.
The visit lasts 20-30 minutes, when the crew member will give basic fire safety information, recommend any prevention measures and help draw up an escape plan.
Smoke alarms will then be fitted to homes without the alarms while homes with smoke detectors will receive ten-year batteries for their existing alarms.
If you wish to arrange an appointment for a free fire safety check, call 01429 874063.
A similar service is being offered in other areas so for North Yorkshire call 01609 788595 and for Darlington and County Durham call 0191 3324269.
We've become smoke free - what does it mean for you?
Smoke free laws came into effect across England
on 1st July 2007. The law was introduced
to protect employees and members of the public
from the harmful effects of second hand smoke.
This means that you can no longer smoke in public
places or workplaces if they are ‘substantially
enclosed’.
Does this include our communal entrances and spaces?
Yes - the no smoking law applies to all enclosed communal areas of buildings and affects people with shared access to their homes like communal corridors, staircases or lifts, or in communal areas like lounges. These enclosed spaces are also classed as places of work for maintenance and cleaning. Anyone caught smoking in these areas is now breaking the law and penalties include fixed fines of £30 and £50 rising to £200 if a case is proven in court.
How will I know where people can or can’t smoke?
No smoking stickers (similar to the one pictured) have been placed in communal areas to help you identify where you can and can’t smoke. Please take note of them and don’t ignore them.
What about my own home?
For most of the time smoking behind your own front door will be up to individual households - you will not be breaking the law. However, we have has a duty of care to our own employees, so we now advise staff not to visit any dwelling where they may be in danger of inhaling smoke fumes.
The guideline to customers is not to let anyone smoke in your home for at least one hour before you are due to receive a pre-arranged visit from a TVH employee or contractor.
If you or a person in your household smokes, failure to comply with this request could delay essential maintenance work to your home.
Repeated instances may even involve recharges to customers if, for example, we are billed for a call out charge by contractors.
If you are unsure about how the no smoking rules affect you please call our customer service centre on 08000 461600 and help us stay within the law and stay smoke free.
