Home safety

Safe as Houses - Home Safety Check

Any resident in the Lewes District Council's area, over 65 years of age and in receipt of benefit, can apply for this scheme.

A safety check can be carried out on all electrical appliances within the home and any minor repair works required for safety reasons will be undertaken, free of charge.  The repair work may include replacement of frayed cables, incorrect fuses and damaged plugs.  The scheme does not attend to electric blankets, as specialist equipment is required and this test cannot easily be carried out in your home.  Also please note that the scheme does not include the repair of faulty TV's, VCR's, radio's etc.

As part of the Home Safety check any general disrepair, whether in a privately owned or rented property, will be highlighted by the officer and referral made, if requested, to the Housing Grants Section to determine eligibility under one of the Grant Schemes currently operated by the Environmental Health Department.

For further information or to take advantage of the Safe as Houses scheme please telephone this department on 01273 484367 or e-mail ehealth@lewes.gov.uk.

Child Safety Equipment Loan Scheme

This scheme is jointly run by the Environmental Health Department and local Health Visitors, working in partnership.

Any person resident in the Lewes District Council's area, with a young child, who is in receipt of benefit or on a low income may be eligible to borrow safety equipment for use in the home, free of charge.

For further details of the scheme, please contact your local Health Visitor, who will assess your individual safety needs and submit an application on your behalf to the Environmental Health Department.  Contact Numbers for local Health Visitors are as follows:

Lewes   Orchard House    (01273) 402508
   School Hill Surgery    (01273) 380395

Newhaven  Quayside Practice    (01273) 612913

Peacehaven  Peacehaven Clinic    (01273) 580504

Seaford  Seaford Health Centre   (01323) 490111

Rural Villages Newick Health Centre   (01825) 722272
   Hassocks Health Centre   (01273) 845771

On receipt of the completed application form the Environmental Health Department will contact you to arrange delivery of the required items.  Delivery time will depend on the time involved in contacting the applicant to agree a mutually convenient delivery time, which will normally be on a Friday morning.   All equipment must be signed for at the time of delivery.

The range of equipment currently available is:

Fireguard  Stairgate (centre opening)  Multi-purpose gate (side opening) 
Medicine Cabinet Anti-scald bath plug   Multi-purpose locks
Window Locks Socket covers   Cupboard locks
Door jammer  Oven/Microwave Locks

All larger items are serial numbered and will at all times remain the property of Lewes District Council. Borrowers will be expected to keep the equipment in good condition and notify the Council when the equipment is no longer required.  Equipment for return will be picked up by Environmental Health for re-use.  Smaller plastic consumables such as locks fitted to kitchen cabinets and refrigerators etc need not be returned.   Anybody wilfully damaging, abusing or selling on the equipment may be excluded from participating in the scheme.

If you require any further information or advice please telephone 01273 484367 or e-mail ehealth@lewes.gov.uk.