Do you really know the house in which you live?

We recommend that you check the following list to ensure that you are familiar with the house you are going to live in and know what to do in an emergency and to protect the health and safety of you and your family.

Location of the following:

• Internal water stop valve
• External water stop valve and meter (if fitted)
• Any septic tank
• Instructions for the boiler and central heating programmer. These should be kept in the house, however most information is now downloadable from equipment manufacturers' websites.
• Gas external stop valve and meter position
• Electrical meter box, distribution boards and isolation switches
• Fire alarm and Carbon Monoxide detector positions and a note of the last battery replacement date for these fittings. Batteries in smoke detectors should be replaced every 12 months..
• Oil tank level gauge and stop valves
• How to escape in the event of a fire. Consider evacuation routes for you or your family and what to do if these routes are blocked.
• You should have a copy of the latest safety certificate for annual inspections of any gas installations and/or a service certificate for any oil installations. If there is no certificate or if it is out of date you should not use these appliances and inform the Parsonages Department 
• You should have a copy of the most recent 5 yearly safety inspection of the electrical installation. If not, or if it is out of date, you should not use these appliances and should inform the Parsonages Department.
• You should be aware of any suspected asbestos materials in your house, the hazards that may be present and inform contractors working in your house of any materials present. Please see the asbestos information sheet in the Your Responsibility - information sheet section
• If you are uncertain about the safety of any gas or electrical appliance in your house, for which the Diocese is responsible, please stop using the appliance and report the fault to the Parsonage Department immediately for investigation.
• Any portable appliance testing (PAT testing) of equipment in your study, or publicly accessed areas of your house, is your responsibility and you should organise this yourself. The PCC may agree to fund such testing.

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