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Love to hate your smoke alarm

If you've ever burnt your toast, you'll know that an accidentally triggered smoke alarm can be a frustrating experience. But with one in three battery operated smoke alarms failing in a house fire - most often because the battery has been removed - the Fire Kills campaign is reminding people that there's a very good reason why we all hate the sound of the smoke alarm.

Everything about the pitch, volume, and pattern of a smoke alarm's horn are specifically designed to trigger instinctive danger responses - unusual sounds like a smoke alarm or siren set off warning signals in our brains.

The noise is enough to drive you out of house and home.

But that's exactly the point of a smoke alarm.

A matter of life and death

So remember. Never, ever remove the batteries in your alarm. And regularly check that the batteries are working.

It may be frustrating to find your fry-up has set it off again but a working smoke alarm could mean the difference between life and death in a real house fire.

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Changes to rent free weeks

Every year you pay your rent over 48 weeks as there are four weeks which are rent free.

From 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012, the weeks where we did not charge you were in April, August and two in December.

For the year 2012 – 2013, the rent free weeks will change to August, two in December and one at the end of March 2013.

Please remember that the rental year straddles two calendar years – from April to March – as it is the same as the financial (fiscal) year. While the calendar year is from January to December.

So, you aren’t losing a rent free week, we’re just moving it from the beginning of the financial year to the end.

If you are in arrears with your rent you must make payments during these weeks.

If you pay by Direct Debit then your payments will not be affected by this change to the timing of the rent free weeks.

This information is also included in your end of year rent letters which will be with you all in February but if you have any questions or concerns then please contact us.

Please note that this does not affect those of you who transferred to Shoreline from Raglan Housing Association.

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New website design

We'd love to know what you think to our new website design, send us your comments via our Facebook page or by email to communications@shorelinehp.com.

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Shoreline's Sleep Easy challenge

A team of Shoreline employees will be braving the cold and sleeping rough in support of Sleep Easy 2012.

Photo: Some of the Shoreline team wrap up warm as they get ready for the Sleep Easy event

Raising money for Grimsby and Cleethorpes YMCA - and awareness of youth homelessness, the twelve willing volunteers will bed down at Blundell Park – the home of Grimsby Town football club – for the overnight stay on Friday 3 February 2012.

As the area's largest social housing provider, we're aware that homelessness is a growing problem and that it can happen to anyone. Many individuals find accommodation with us after experiencing hostel life.

We really wanted to show our support to the local YMCA who provide a fantastic service, raise awareness and funds but also gain a real understanding of the conditions that homeless people face every day.

We hope we can help the YMCA smash last year's fundraising target and with less than a month to go we'll be going all out to raise as much as we can.

To sponsor the Shoreline team please visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/shorelinehousing

The event will take place between 6.30pm on Friday 3 February 2012 and 6.30am Saturday 4 February 2012.

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Fears over 'cold caller' stickers

There are fears that an organisation calling themselves 'Community Voice UK' may be in North East Lincolnshire selling residents stickers which say "No cold callers".

Please be aware that this is a scam and they are a bogus organisation and is not connected in any way to our Community Voice customer engagement group or the local Community Voice (Safeguarding) group.

If you are suspicious please ring the local police number 101

More details are on the BBC news link

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Behind closed doors

How bad is domestic abuse throughout North East Lincolnshire? How much do you understand about what domestic abuse is? Are you aware of what help is available locally and where to get it?

A series of FREE events are being held in your area in the new year to help awareness of domestic abuse.

Click on this link for more information ( 519kb) *

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Warm Homes Discount

Could you make savings on your electricity bills this winter? Major energy suppliers are now offering a Warm Homes Discount to households and you may be eligible for an annual discount on your energy bill of up to £130!

The electricity suppliers involved in this scheme include Atlantic, British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, Equipower, Equigas, Manweb, M&S Energy, npower, Sainsbury's Energy, Scottish Gas, Scottish Hydro, Scottish Power, Southern Electric, SSE, Swalec and Utility Warehouse.

For more information please visit the DirectGov website.

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Drive safely this winter

Nights are drawing in and the weather is taking a turn meaning we'll have less sun and colder and wetter driving conditions posing increased risks not only to drivers but also to pedestrians.

By taking a few minutes to think about your journey before you make it you could reduce the risks.

Consider:

• Do you need to make the journey, are alternatives available?
• Is your car maintained in a good condition, serviced, MOT'd?
• Fuel - have you got plenty of fuel for the journey, keep your tank at least half full.
• Lights - Are they working correctly?
• Oil – Is there adequate levels of engine oil, and other fluids?
• Water - is water at adequate levels in radiators, washer bottles and have you added antifreeze?
• Electrics – Do the electrics work ok, is the battery healthy and charging?
• Rubber – Are the tyres suitable, inflated correctly and have sufficient tread?
• You - Are you thinking clearly, sober, not under the influence of drugs and medications and alert?
• Have you allowed sufficient time to make the journey?
• Have you planned your journey?
• Have you a means to call for assistance, such as a mobile phone and are you a member of a road side assistance organisation?

The Highways Agency has summarized the four key things you need to consider to ensure safety when driving in severe weather as:

Be informed
Be prepared
Be aware
Be wise

You can find more information on their website by visiting www.highways.gov.uk/winter.