Harrogate Borough Council

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Emergencies

Smell of Gas

• Do not smoke or use naked flames
• Do not use anything electrical including light switches, sockets or appliances, door-entry intercoms and battery operated items
• Turn the gas off at the meter or at the appliance if you cannot turn the meter off
• Open all your windows and doors
• Telephone your local Housing Office who will ask Transco to call. If the phone is engaged (or the Housing Office is closed) contact Transco on 0800 111999; let your Housing Office know you have telephoned Transco. If possible, use your neighbour's telephone to make the call.
• Stay at or near your home until Transco arrive.
• Transco must by law attend within two hours.

Flood - Leaking Water Pipes

• Turn off your stop tap; if your home has a leak of hot water, turn off the red gate valve (which is shaped like a wheel). The gate valve is usually near your hot water tank
• If you cannot turn off or find the stop tap or valves, put a container or towels beneath the leak. Try turning on the taps if the leak is upstairs
• Turn off your electricity if water is near lights or sockets
• Telephone your local Housing Office. Tell them if the pipe is still leaking. A plumber will be sent to your home as quickly as possible that same working day

Fire

• Get everyone out
• Establish if it is a false alarm
• If there is a fire, telephone the Fire Brigade from outside your home

If you have a chip pan fire do not put any water on the fire or move the pan outside. Smother the fire with a fire blanket, damp cloth or damp towel.

If you are a tenant of the council, you must contact your local Housing Office if there is any fire damage to your home.

Electrical Problems

If you have power sockets that fail or your lights go out:

• Turn off the power
• Check your fuse box (or consumer unit) - keep a torch nearby at all times
• Disconnect all electrical appliances - it can often be a faulty appliance, such as a kettle, iron or fridge
• If you have a fuse with a wire, find which wire has broken or turned black. Replace the wire using the correct amp rating. If you are unsure how to do this contact an electrician. If you contact the Council you will be charged for this work
• If you have circuit breakers, find the switch that is in the "off" position. This may tell you which room(s) the fault is in
• Put the switch back to the "on" position and turn on your appliances one by one. You may find out in this way if any of the appliances are faulty
• If you are a council tenant and the fuse or the circuit breaker blows or trips again after you have checked your appliances, contact your local Housing Office.

Heating Breakdown

• Check the time clock and thermostat controls are set correctly
• If you have a key meter, check there is enough credit
• If you have a gas boiler, check the pilot light is on

If you are a council tenant and there is still a problem, contact your local Housing Office.

Lost Keys - Locked Out

If you have lost your keys, or locked yourself out, it is your responsibility to pay for any necessary work to break into your home e.g. changing the existing lock.

If the Council carries out the work you will have to pay for all the costs. You may ask your own joiner to break in for you, but you must always tell your local Housing Office if there is any damage.

Out of Hours Emergency Service

The Council has an out of hours emergency service: Telephone 08457 089190. Please note that this service is for emergencies only and is operated by one member of staff only working from their home.