All smoke detectors in homes provided by Coastal are hard wired and we are responsible for repairing or replacing them.

Our qualified and registered engineers check all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home along with a gas cooker, however if its defective we would disconnect the appliance and advise that it is unsafe to use. It is the responsibility of residents to service gas cookers by appointing a Gas Safe engineer which you can find here.

If you have a gas boiler, Coastal would have installed a carbon monoxide alarm within the area of the boiler, please check this monthly alongside your fire alarm.

If you hear a bleeping noise from your smoke and/or carbon monoxide detector when no smoke or heat is present or if you think it is not working, you should report this to Coastal.

In the event of a fire in your home you should leave your home by the safest route possible. Ensure you take all members of your household and visitors with you. If there’s smoke, keep low where the air is clear. Before opening doors, check if the handle is warm with the back of your hand, if it is, there might be a fire on the other side. You may need to be prepared to vacate the premises via a different route. If no other route is possible, line the base of the door with a wet towel to help reduce smoke ingress and move to the furthest point away from the fire, closing all doors between you and the fire. Try to make others aware of the fire and ensure you dial 999 as soon as possible.

Some general advice is to;

• Test your smoke alarm regularly
• Plan your escape routes in advance (always good to have an alternative emergency route prepared)
• Keep mobility aids and your phone nearby at night
• Close all doors and switch off and unplug appliances before going to bed
• Do not place candles near curtains or other materials and never leave them unattended
• Ensure ovens and cookers are turned off after use
• Do not smoke in bed and check all cigarettes are properly extinguished
• Switch off and unplug electrical appliances and charging devices
• Never overload electrical sockets, use only use extension leads with individual switches
• Do not store bottled gas or cylinders in your home unless for medical purposes. Please advise Coastal if this is the case
• Make sure that all stairs, landings and passages forming an escape route are kept clear
• Make sure you are safe if lighting fires or BBQs in your garden – more advice here

For information on protecting your home, you can visit the Mid & West Wales Fire Service website.

With a large percentage of fires starting in the kitchen, take a look at these top tips provided by the Mid & West Wales Fire Service in ways to reduce your chances of a fire starting in the kitchen.

In the unfortunate event of a fire, you could be at risk of losing your valued possessions. If you rent a home from us, Coastal don’t insure the contents of your home as part of the tenancy agreement or occupation contract. It’s a good idea to consider what a home contents insurance policy would cover you for, in order to help you make an informed decision on whether you need one.

You can find out more about content insurance here.