Happy Diwali! Today as the start of Diwali, the vibrant ‘Festival of Lights’, which marks the Hindu New Year and is celebrated annually with joy and togetherness.

As many people prepare to celebrate, we’ve put together some helpful safety tips to ensure you and your loved ones enjoy the festivities safely.

Fire safety

Diwali sees an increase of oil lamps and candles used around the home, therefore it’s important to keep fire safe.

• Light candles out of reach from children and pets. Also teach children to stay away from open flames.
• If you are decorating your home, make sure all decorations are away from open flames, ovens, microwaves and radiators.
• Ensure Diya lamps are placed securely and in suitable holders. Also ensure tealights are on heat-resistant surfaces.
• Keep open flames away from soft furnishings, such as curtains and throws.
• Never leave candles unattended.
• Make sure to keep all exits clear of decorations.
• Make sure all smoke alarms are working.

Cooking family feasts and tasty treats

• Ensure your cooker and hob are always kept clear when not in use.
• Don’t leave pans unattended.
• Don’t leave children unattended in the kitchen.
• Don’t fill a pan with more than one third of oil and if it starts to smoke, turn off the heat and leave it to cool.
• Never pour water over hot oil.

Firework safety

• Fireworks must be used outside and by a responsible adult.
• Only buy fireworks which carry the CE mark and keep them in a closed box.
• Use fireworks one at a time.
• Read and follow the instructions for each firework.
• Place the firework on a stable surface.
• Keep naked flames away from fireworks.
• Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
• Dispose of fireworks by soaking them in a bucket of water for several hours. Then place them in a plastic bag when cooled and place them in a black bin.
• Do not put fireworks in your pocket.
• Never throw fireworks.
• Keep pets inside.
• Ensure children are a safe distance away from the fireworks.
• If you are using sparklers, make sure to wear gloves and place them in a bucket of water when finished.

We hope you have a fantastic Diwali!

Wandle is to deliver affordable homes for social rent at the historic County Hall Kingston in southwest London. 

In partnership with London Square, the 5.2-acre site includes the Grade II listed former headquarters of Surrey County Council. The redevelopment will bring 292 high-quality new homes to the area, including 26 for social rent, alongside extensive landscaping, new green spaces, and commercial space. Restoration and construction work is already underway to sensitively refurbish the historic County Hall and deliver the new-build elements of the scheme.

Adam Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer, London Square said: “Wandle Housing has a significant presence across south London, and we are delighted to be working with them at County Hall Kingston. This historic site has stood empty for many years and it’s fantastic to take another step forward in the re-opening this important space for the local community.”

Anne Waterhouse, Chief Executive of Wandle said: “I am delighted that Wandle will be providing   much needed social rent homes in Kingston. The redevelopment, led by London Square, provides us with an opportunity to extend our provision of social homes within the borough increasing our community presence that will benefit all our residents.”

Wandle has secured £55 million of funding from the Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme (AHGS).

The fund will support the development of 94 homes across London for both Shared Ownership and Social Rent and will enable us to continue to invest in the continued safety and quality of our existing homes.

Launched in 2020, the AHGS bond issuance programme is backed by a guarantee from the UK Government and offers fixed-rate loans of up to 30 years to the social housing sector. From March 2024, registered providers were able to use the scheme to invest in property improvements in addition to funding new affordable homes.

Anne Waterhouse, Wandle Chief Executive, commented: “We are delighted to have successfully raised £55 million of funding from the Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme as the scheme’s second London based borrower.  The collaborative partnership between Venn and our finance team enabled us to secure a deal that creates immediate financial capacity, which we can now deploy to help alleviate housing pressures in the Capital.

Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE FRCGP (Hon), Chair of Wandle’s Board, commented: “I’d like to thank everyone involved in this transaction. This much needed funding will  enable us to continue to deliver new affordable high-quality homes across south London, while progressing our investment in our resident’s existing homes.

We are the second housing association under the Scheme and will fund critical investment in our existing homes, including relating to fire safety works.

This week is Fire Door Safety Week, and this year’s theme is ‘Fire Travels Fast’.

Fire Door Safety Week was launched in 2013 to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of fire door safety.

According to The British Woodworking Federation (BWF), due to the increase of lithium-ion battery operated items such as e-bikes and e-scooters being brought into homes and communal areas, the public’s concern has risen around fire safety in the home.

We have put together information and tips on how to spot if a fire door is not being used properly to prevent any risk to you or your home.

What do fire doors do?

Fire doors create a barrier from fire and toxic smoke and prevent them from travelling through a building, restricting damage to a small area. They also enable people to evacuate a building and provide safe access for the emergency services. A fire door only works if it is installed correctly.

Where are fire doors installed?

In a block of flats, fire doors should be on the stairwells and in corridors and the front door of each flat should also be a fire door. They are also used to protect areas where there is a risk of combustion, for example bin storage areas or mains electricity service cupboards. Sometimes fire doors are installed within individual homes, but this depends on design and layout. Fire doors will also have a blue sign stating they are a fire door. If the fire door is a front door or inside an individual home, it does not need a sign.

Inspection and maintenance

Like all landlords and building owners, we’re legally responsible for fire doors in the common areas of buildings. We inspect our doors regularly. However, if you notice anything wrong with a door, please bring it to our attention by contacting us.

Fire doors as front doors

It is crucial a front door works properly if a fire breaks out, therefore we inspect these regularly. Leaseholders may be responsible for making sure their front door has a suitable fire rating and that compatible components are fitted. This can be checked within the lease agreement.  

Keeping you and your neighbours safe

• Don’t leave a fire door wedged or propped open
• Keep access to fire doors clear and free from obstruction  
• Check your front door closes safely – hold it halfway open, and check the latch engages when you let it go
• If a fire door doesn’t close, report it to us immediately
• Never disconnect an automatic closer – the door is useless if it remains open, and it will allow the spread of smoke and fire
• Don’t remove kitchen or other internal fire doors
• If you’re fitting new carpets, make sure the door still closes smoothly – if it catches on the carpet, consider fitting rising hinges. Don’t trim the door!
• Don’t make new openings in fire doors for cat flaps or letter boxes without seeking advice.
• Do not charge e-bikes or e-scooters in hallways or communal areas. Also do not charge electric vehicles using a communal plug socket.

Reporting an issue

Please contact us if you find an issue or have further questions. You can also contact your local fire service for further information and visit the Fire Door Safety Week website.

For further fire safety information, click here.

At 3pm on Sunday 7 September there will be a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts service. Every compatible mobile phone or tablet in range of a mast will receive the alert. They work on all 4G and 5G phone networks in the UK.

If you have a compatible mobile phone or tablet that is switched on, it may:

• make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent
• vibrate
• read out the alert

The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds. Phone users will have to acknowledge the alert before they can use other features on their devices.

This may be dangerous for anyone who has a hidden phone due to domestic abuse. If you have a hidden phone, make sure to switch it off on Sunday 7 September 2025. You can also opt-out of the alert in your phone settings (Gov.uk – Opting out of emergency alerts).

The weather has been warming up again, and with the next bank holiday just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to get grilling on the BBQ.

We have put together some tips to keep you safe when using a BBQ:

• Never use a barbecue (including disposables) indoors or on your balcony. 
• Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area. 
• Don’t cook in communal areas. Have your barbecues in a private space, away from neighbours and well away from sheds, fences, trees or shrubs. 
• Have a fire extinguisher close to hand and know how to use it. You also need to know how to cut the gas supply, and it’s useful to know how to treat burns. 
• Never leave your barbecue unattended. 
• Smoke can get in hair, clothes, eyes and lungs, but also contains carbon monoxide and other dangerous substances. Try and keep your distance as much as possible. 
• Grilling gloves and utensils with a long handle will keep arms and hands safe from flames. 
• Wash your hands before preparing food, after touching raw meat and before eating. 
• Check food is cooked: ideally, burgers, chicken and sausages should be tested with a thermometer before eating and no pink meat should be visible.  
• After you have finished cooking, check the charcoal is cold or the gas has been turned off. Store your barbecue in a safe, dry place and not on your balcony. 
• Remember to clean up your barbecue after using to avoid any pests. 

See more advice on safer barbecues from London Fire Brigade. 

If you have an emergency while having a barbecue, please call 999. 

Are you a Wandle homeowner who wants a real say in how your services are delivered?
This is your chance to be heard and make a difference. We’re launching a new Wandle
Homeowners Panel and are looking for volunteers to join us!

As a panel member, you will:

• Have a direct say in decisions about service charges, major works, consultations, insurance cost and leaseholder matters.
• Hold us accountable and help raise standards.
• Help us improve communication, transparency and service standards.
• Influence how we implement the Service Charges Code and shape policies on shared ownership and leasehold.
• Contribute to our journey towards a HQN accreditation for excellence in homeownership services. Your involvement can help us achieve that goal.
  

The panel will meet quarterly, either in person or online, and will be made up of a diverse group of homeowners from across Wandle homes.

If you are interested in joining the panel, please email homeownership@wandle.com. Please include your name, address. and a few lines about why you’d like to join. Together we can make a real difference.

The UK has already experienced several heatwaves this summer, and even though the sun hasn’t been shining in recent days, the temperature is predicted to heat up again in August. Therefore, we have put together some tips to keep you safe for when the sun returns.  

When the temperature rises, make sure to:

• Use a high protection sunscreen of at least SFF 30, which also has a UVA protection. Apply a generous amount and apply frequently, especially if you are spending a lot of time outdoors.
• You can protect your skin by wearing a loose fitting t-shirt and shorts. To protect your face, pop on a hat and some sunglasses.
• Try and not be in direct sunlight between the hours of 11am-3pm as this is when the sun is strongest.
• Keep babies, young children and pets out of direct sunlight.
• Never leave children, anyone vulnerable or pets in a parked locked car.
• Never exercise pets when the temperature is very high. A regular walk could become a medical emergency.
• Always test pavements, footpaths and slabs in gardens and communal areas. If it’s too hot on your hand, it’s too hot for your pet.
• Make sure to drink plenty of water.
• If there are any changes to a mole or mark on your skin, book an appointment with your doctor to make sure everything is ok.

BBQ Safety

• Never use a BBQ (including disposables) indoors or on your balcony.
• Don’t cook in communal areas. Have your barbecues in a private space, away from neighbours and well away from sheds, fences, trees or shrubs.
• Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the BBQ.
• Have a bucket of water/sand or a fire extinguisher nearby in case of an emergency. If you’re using a gas BBQ, make sure you know how to cut the gas supply.
• Never leave your barbecue unattended.
• Smoke can get into hair, clothes, eyes and lungs, and can also contain carbon monoxide and other dangerous substances. Try and keep your distance as much as possible.
• Grilling gloves and utensils with a long handle will keep arms and hands safe from flames.
• Check your food is cooked: ideally, burgers, chicken and sausages should be tested with a thermometer before eating and no pink meat should be visible.
• After you have finished cooking, check the charcoal is cold or the gas has been turned off. Store your barbecue in a safe, dry place and not on your balcony.

If you have an emergency while having a BBQ, please call 999.

Tip to keep you and your home cool this summer

• Take lukewarm or cool showers
• Close your windows, doors, curtains and blinds closed during a heatwave to keep the hot air out. When the sun goes down, open your windows and doors to let the cool air in.
• An electric fan is relatively cheap to run and will instantly cool you down. Remember, the fan will not decrease the air temperature, so don’t leave a fan in an empty room, as you will waste energy.
• At night, you might think it’s better to not wear anything, but wearing thin loose clothing will act as a sweat barrier between you and your bed sheets, which will help you feel cooler.

To read more about sun safety, here are some useful websites:

www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk

www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/

www.gov.uk/government/publications/beat-the-heat-hot-weather-advice/beat-the-heat-staying-safe-in-hot-weather

Every year Sureserve Compliance South are required to check landlords gas appliances in your home, such as gas boilers, gas fires and cookers. A degree of flexibility has been introduced for the timing of landlords’ mandatory annual gas safety checks.

The MOT-style change will allow landlords to carry out their annual gas safety check in the two months before the due date and retain the existing expiry date.

This regulation sets out when the next safety check must be completed in order to retain the existing deadline date. It also sets out a one-off flexibility that landlords can use to align the date of an appliance check with that of other appliances at the same premises. This avoids landlords waiting until the last minute and not gaining access or having to shorten the annual cycle check to comply with the law. There is no change to the legal requirement for an annual gas safety check or for maintenance to be carried out.

Here is an example:

An engineer completes a gas safety record on 10 February 2025 which means the next check is due by 10 February 2026 (the “deadline date”). On 5 January 2026, the next gas safety record is completed (about 5 weeks early). The next check will be due on 10 February 2027 despite being done early because the “deadline date” has been retained under the new legislation.

Under the previous rules using this example, the next record would have been due on 5 January 2027.

Please be aware you may be required the have your gas safety check sooner than current expiry as this will then align servicing into the summer months to assist with the winter demand.

If you would like more information or would like to check when your last gas safety check was, please contact Sureserve on 020 3961 5210.