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Resident Auditors Working with Westward (see more below)

Residents from Westcountry Housing and Tarka Housing have come together to form auditors.www  and scrutinise by services New Resident Auditors group (Feb 2008)

Tarka Home Improvements Showcase

OVERHEATING CYLINDERS - WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Westcountry Housing and Tarka Housing are checking all thermostats and advising residents of warning signs to watch for.

Warning signs if a cylinder begins to overheat
 
You have probably seen and been concerned by the news coverage of the inquest underway in Taunton relating to the fatal scalding of a baby  from a hot water system thermostat malfunctioning which caused the failure of a cold water tank.  This allowed scalding hot water to cascade through the bedroom ceiling onto the child beneath and led to her death.
 
We would wish to reassure you that the risk of this occurring is very rare and requires a very specific set of circumstances for it to reach a stage that would place residents at risk.
 
Our contractors, Safeheat, have begun an inspection and replacement regime for older type thermostats in conjunction with the annual gas safety inspection.  If they find any of the older thermostats, they will be replaced immediately, during the actual inspection.
 
Meanwhile, the Health and Safety Executive and Westward Housing Group wish you to be aware of warning signs which could include:
• Excessively hot water coming out of the hot water taps;
• Excessive noise or ‘bubbling’ from the hot water cylinder;
• Hot water coming out of certain cold water taps (some storage cisterns also feed cold water taps in the bathroom);
• Steam/moisture in the roof space.

Tenants should tell their landlord immediately if they have any of the above warning signs.  In such circumstances the householder or tenant should switch off the immersion heater system.

Read about Westcountry Housing being joint winners of the Richard Fielden Award for Broadclose.  Photography: Tim Crocker.

For all media related inquiries either click on my name to open an electronic form and email me Vanessa Gray, Communications Manager

or: Tel: 01803 217500 or Mobile: 07515 097006

Westward Housing Group, Hatfield House, Hatfield Road, Torquay, TQ1 3HF