Bedroom

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Do you have any potential problems with your bedrooms?

Look out!

Cold homes can be harmful to your health. Children, older people and people with certain health conditions can be particularly vulnerable.

Your home should be a comfortable temperature for you, and ideally between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius. A number of factors can influence the heating and cooling of your home; from heating the type of heating you have, to how well insulated and ventilated your home is.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Heating and Energy to find out more about the different types of ways you can heat and cool your home, and the grants and financial support that may be available to you.

Look out!

Since 31 October 1998, any room converted to use as sleeping accommodation should not contain the following types of gas appliances:

A gas fire, gas space heater or a gas water heater (including a gas boiler) over 14 kilowatts gross input unless it is room sealed.
A gas fire, gas space heater, or a gas water heater (including a gas boiler) of 14 kilowatts gross input or less or any instantaneous water heater unless it is room sealed or has an atmosphere-sensing device.

If you are unsure of the safety of any gas appliance, you should get a Gas Safe registered engineer to check it for you.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Fire Safety to find out more about gas safety and how to find a Gas Safe engineer.

Look out!

You are more at risk from fire when asleep. Fires in bedrooms can increase the risk of a house fire.

If your only source of heating in a bedroom is an open fire, check out the Good Home Lincs information on Heating Systems to find out more about other ways to heat your home.

If you are using an open fire, check out the Good Home Lincs information on Fire Safety to find out more about how to protect your home from fire.

Look out!

Black mould can spread on to furniture, curtains and clothing, and left untreated can produces allergens, irritants and sometimes, toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mould spores can cause allergic reactions such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes, and a skin rash, or lead to longer-term health problems such as:

fatigue
weakened immune systems
loss of cognitive function and headaches
upper respiratory tract infections

Black mould can increase your risk of developing respiratory (breathing) problems and can make asthma worse, particularly for the elderly, young babies or those with weakened immune systems, including those having chemotherapy.

Black mould is a fungus that can be found in homes where there is excess moisture. Mould thrives in areas that are warm and moist such as kitchens and bathrooms. It can appear in areas where there is condensation such as cold walls or around windows. Poor ventilation may also contribute to black mould developing.

If you notice the signs of damp and mould growth in your home, act immediately to try and resolve it.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Common hazards to find out more about how to manage damp and mould in your home.

If you do not have enough or the right furniture to meet your needs, you may be eligible for support to help you furnish your home.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Moving Home to find out more about help with furniture.

If you live in rented accommodation, too many people sleeping in the same room could constitute statutory overcrowding.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Private rented housing to find out more about overcrowding in rented accommodation.

If you own your own home, you may want to consider an extension, adaptation or moving home if you have too many people sleeping in the same room.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Extensions, Adaptations or Moving Home to find out more about the options available to you.

Look out for Trips and Falls!

If you regularly get up in the night, make sure to use a bedside light and don’t walk around in the dark - you can even keep a torch by the bed if your light switch isn’t easy to access.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Common hazards to find out more about lighting around the home.

Which image generally reflects the level of clutter in your bedrooms?

There are no significant issues in relation to clutter if you are scoring 1-3 on the clutter scale, but if you feel that you would like some more information or support, or you are worried that your home may become more cluttered, please check out the Good Home Lincs information on Common Hazards for more information.

Look out!

Clutter can lead to trips and falls, increase the risk of a fire or attract pests into your home. Everyone should be aware of the dangers in the home so that accidents can be avoided.

Clutter can also be a sign of hoarding, especially when someone is reluctant or unable to get rid of items - even if the clutter is making it difficult get around the house and keep it clean, or affecting their work, personal hygiene and relationships.

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Common Hazards for more information about the risks a cluttered home can cause.

Hoarding and hoarding disorders

NHS.uk provides information about hoarding, hoarding disorder and what to do if you think someone may be hoarding.

Visit Hoarding disorder - NHS (www.nhs.uk) for more information about hoarding and hoarding disorders.