Home safety

This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England

This section looks at how to keep your home safe. It covers fire, gas and electricity safety, and includes advice on preventing accidents and what to do in an emergency. It also looks at crime prevention and how to keep your home secure.

Fire safety

This page explains what you can do to minimise the risk of fire in your home. It looks at your landlord's responsibilities and what you can do if you think your home isn't safe. If you live in a house in multiple occupation (HMO), your landlord has to make sure there are adequate fire precautions and escape routes.

Gas safety

This page looks at how you can improve gas safety in your home and minimise the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It also explains your landlord's responsibilities and the action you can take if they aren't complying with gas safety laws, and what you should do in an emergency.

Electrical safety

This page lists ways you can reduce the risk of electrical shocks and fires in your home. It outlines your responsibilities if you're a home owner or a tenant, and explains what your landlord has to do to ensure your accommodation is safe. It also explains what to do if the power goes off.

Crime and security

This page contains information on keeping your home secure and explains what to do if your accommodation is broken into.

Asbestos in the home

Asbestos has been used in the construction and modernisation of housing for many years. This page looks at what you can do if you have asbestos in your home. Unless it is damaged or worn, your best course of action is often to leave it alone.

Radon gas

Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas. All homes have some radon gas in the atmosphere, however, if it exceeds a certain level, it can be dangerous. This page looks at how you can test radon levels in your home and what you can do to reduce them.


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