General Health and Safety Considerations

Child safety –

Cleaning fluids should always be stored out of reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.

Cots, highchairs, stairgates and bunk beds must conform to British Safety Standards and be well maintained, cleaned and in good condition.

Any age and weight restrictions must be clearly labelled.

Any furniture with wheels must be locked.

All play equipment must comply with British Safety Standards and be placed in an area which is free of any potential hazards. It should be cleaned, in good condition and regularly maintained. The ground surface must be impact absorbent and signage should clearly state that children must be supervised at all times.

Windows and glass –

Any panes of glass below waist height should be glazed with safety glass and marked with stickers making it easily visible.

Balcony doors must have handles inside and out.

Children should not have access to window openings greater than 10cm, if this is possible you will need to fit window restrictions.

Window blinds must comply with child safety requirements, fitted with safety devices that prevent hazardous loops in pulleys and are regularly tested.

Stairways and balconies –

Safety gates should be provided at family friendly or dog friendly properties.

Open tread stairways must conform to building and fire regulations.

Stairways should have a banister, rail, or some robust means of support.

Lighting must be provided on the stairs.

Any gaps in balcony railings should be less than 10cm.

The height of a balcony railing should be over 1.1 metres for new build properties and 1 metre for existing.

Outside spaces –

Ensure that any water features are fenced off or clearly marked.

Garden furniture and BBQs should be well maintained and regularly checked.

An automatic light should be provided outside entrances.

Any paths and steps should be well maintained and kept clear of snow and ice in winter.

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Furniture Laws

Any furniture and furnishings that you use in your holiday home must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 (and subsequent amends). These regulations are in place to ensure furnishings meet levels of specified fire resistance. It covers upholstered furnishings such as beds, headboards, cushions and pillows, and specific labels must be applied showcasing compliance. New furniture bought since 1 March 1990 should meet the regulations.

Be sure to check the most recent edition of the regulations to check compliance. The full regulations can be found here.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (legislation.gov.uk)

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Electricity

You must ensure that all electrical items are maintained to ensure everything is safe and in full working order. Equipment can wear over time so it is something that should be checked at each changeover.

All electrical items, including new and second hand, is required to be safe. Part of this includes undertaking Portable Appliance Testing (PAT). This is often required for your insurance.

It is also recommended that a qualified electrician completes a Periodic Electrical Safety Inspection every five years so that any unseen problems can be addressed.

More information can be found in the following regulation guides:

Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016: Great Britain – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (legislation.gov.uk)

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Oil

If you have any oil-fired appliances or equipment, these must be serviced periodically, usually every 12 months. You will need to instruct an OFTEC registered technician to ensure that everything meets regulation requirements.

oftec.org

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Gas

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (and subsequent amends) outlines the requirements you must meet to ensure that gas appliances (think ovens, cookers, boilers) and their fittings (flues, chimneys) meet the specifications.

It is your responsibility to ensure that relevant checks are undertaken and that appliances are serviced as and when required. Make sure any work is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Copies of annual gas safety checks need to be displayed in your property (in your welcome guide with your fire safety regulations documents is a great place) and must be kept for at least two years.

Visit the HSE website for more information Gas – HSE

As well as making sure appliances are in order you will also need to install carbon monoxide alarms. It is a legal requirement to have carbon monoxide alarms in all rooms containing a gas or solid fuel burning appliance. As the gas is odourless and tasteless it can present a fatal risk. We advise checking all alarms at each changeover.

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Fire Safety

It is a legal requirement to complete a Fire Risk Assessment annually, but don’t worry, it’s a very manageable process. The assessment is designed to help you identify any hazards, ensure protection measures are in place and to keep a record of how fire safety is managed.

The link below will take you to a template which you can use to complete an assessment. There are different requirements if you have a small or large property, and it is important to follow the relevant guidelines. A small property sleeps up to 10 guests and has no more than two floors with four bedrooms. A large property has more than two floors or sleeps more than 10 guests.

Small Properties – Free UK Fire Risk Assesssment Template | VisitBritain.org

Large Properties – Fire safety risk assessment: sleeping accommodation – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You are able to complete your own fire risk assessment if you feel comfortable doing so, however we do recommend using a qualified FRA (fire risk assessor) for peace of mind.

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Open fires and wood burning stoves

Properties with fires are always popular with guests. They add atmosphere and for a lot of people it’s a new experience. If you have a woodburning stove or an open fire, it is a requirement that the chimney/flue is swept annually to make sure there are no obstructions. A fireguard should also be in place to make sure no sparks can get through and to keep children out.

Keep in mind that many guests have never used a fire before so we will work with you to ensure guests have clear instructions to make sure they can light the fire and follow safety guidelines.

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Private water supply

If your property has a private water supply, some additional regulations will apply.

The Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 (legislation.gov.uk)

You must arrange for the local authority to carry out a risk assessment every five years. Water samples are taken and tested to ensure it is safe. Your local council will be able to advise you on regulations and what is required of you.

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Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs

Swimming pools and hot tubs are very popular features of a holiday home. While adding a swimming pool isn’t an option for most people, a hot tub could be something you could make space for!

We provide our standard swimming pool and hot tub terms of use in your welcome pack when you join us. There are a few things you will need to consider if you have either of these available to your guests.

Swimming pool –

A thorough risk assessment should be carried out.

Signage should be clearly displayed stating that children should be supervised at all times.

You must display clear depth markings.

Ensure the pool is covered and locked (if possible) when not in use.

Keep pool chemicals locked and out of reach with a record of when they were used.

Complete regular cleaning and maintenance of the swimming pool and its surroundings.

Ensure rescue equipment such as a reach pole or a buoyancy aid are easily accessible.

Hot tub –

Hot tubs must comply with the government’s health and safety regulations HSE282 hsg282.pdf (hse.gov.uk)

Written safety instructions should be displayed near the hot tub.

Ensure cleaning chemicals are stored in a safe, preferably locked area. Keep a log of when these are used.

Hot tub waters should be regularly checked to ensure the quality is acceptable.

This advice is a general guide rather than a definitive statement of the law. If further information on legal implications is required or it you have any queries, we suggest you consult your legal advisor, or another qualified expert.