This may be useful

Going to college is not just about studying for a qualification! Finding suitable and safe accommodation and keeping yourself healthy while you are away, may be two of the issues that you are concerned about. This information is a brief guide to these and some of the other issues that may be of use to you before you leave for college and whilst you are away.

accommodation
gas Appliances & Safety
Safety of Goods in Rented Accommodation
Damp and Mould
Healthy Eating
Alcohol
Contraception
Safer Sex
Drugs
Registering with a Local Doctor
Travelling Abroad
Useful Contacts

Accommodation

When you move away to college, you may need to move into shared rented accommodation with other people. A house or flat which is occupied by persons who do not form a single household is called a `house in multiple occupation' or a HMO. This type of shared accommodation is low cost and readily accessible for students, however, special care must be taken by landlords and letting agents to ensure that they meet basic health safety and welfare standards. It is important to be aware that there are several safety requirements that are necessary to comply with the housing legislation.

You should not move into a house which you consider to be unsatisfactory or unsafe. If you see an HMO that is unsatisfactory, you should report this to the Environmental Health Department at your local council. In order to comply with housing legislation the property should meet specific standards and should:-

Have an adequate means of escape in case of fire and other fire precautions
For example:

• a protected route of escape.
• mains operated smoke and heat detectors which are linked together throughout the house.
• fire fighting equipment.
• be structurally stable

Be free from serious disrepair and dampness
For example

• have sufficient lighting, heating and ventilation.
• have a satisfactory water supply

Have satisfactory facilities for the preparation and cooking of food
For example:

• an oven with sufficient burners/rings for the people living in the premises.
• adequate refrigerated and dry goods storage for each occupant.
• adequate food preparation surfaces.
• a kitchen should generally not be used by more than five persons.

Have a suitably located bath or shower and wash basin for the use of the occupiers
For example:

• one bath or shower and toilet for every five persons or fewer.
• all toilets should be provided with a wash hand basin with an adequate supply of hot and cold water.
• have an effective drainage system.

NOTE

The Environmental Health Department at your local council will be able to give you advice on any of the above information and will be able to verify whether your home is an HMO. The type of tenancy agreement you have with your landlord may affect this. The number of people in your house or flat will also affect the type and number of facilities that should be provided.

Gas appliances and safety

Each year about 30 people die and a number of people suffer from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, as a result of poorly installed, badly maintained or faulty gas appliances, such as faulty flues and/or inadequate ventilation. When gas does not burn properly, carbon monoxide is produced. You can’t see it, taste it or even smell it, but carbon monoxide can kill without warning in just a matter of hours. A number of things may indicate that a gas appliance is unsafe:-

• an orange flame
• signs of soot
• a sooty or musty smell
• any brown or black discolouration
• excessive condensation
• signs of scorching on any part of the appliance

Unexplained headaches, chest pains, muscular weakness, sickness, diarrhoea or stomach pains, sudden dizziness when standing up and general lethargy.
All gas appliances need to air burn correctly. It is therefore important that ventilators such as air vents and windows are not obstructed.

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 make managers/landlords of HMOs responsible for making sure that all gas appliances are well maintained and safe. Gas appliances must be checked once a year by a CORGI (Council for Registered Gas Installers) registered installer. Your landlord must be able to show you a copy of the safety check record before you move in.

If you require further information about this issue, call the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)Gas Safety Advice Line on 0800 300 363 or the HSE National Information Line on 08701 545500.

If you are concerned about the safety of a gas appliance get help immediately from the HSE or your landlord. If you smell gas, or suspect that there is a gas escape, shut off the gas supply and contact the gas emergency freephone number on 0800 111 999

Safety of goods in rented accommodation

The supply of furniture and most other goods in rented accommodation is covered by consumer safety legislation. This is enforced by your local trading standards department. You should contact them if you are concerned about the safety of any of the following items in your home:-

The fire safety of furniture

Upholstered furniture supplied in rented accommodation has to comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. These Regulations set out stringent fire safety tests, which apply to all new and second-hand upholstered furniture. All filling materials must pass ignitability tests. All covers (except mattresses, bed bases, pillows and cushions) must pass a match test and the cover/filling combination must pass the cigarette test.

All new furniture (except beds and mattresses) has to have a permanent label attached to it, detailing the measures taken to ensure compliance with the Regulations. The label will be headed "Carelessness Causes Fire" and may be hidden under the cushion. Beds and mattresses are not required to bear this type of label however compliance with ignitability tests may be shown by a blue label stating compliance with BS 7177. If there is no permanent label (or blue label for beds and mattresses) on your furniture to indicate compliance, you should assume that this furniture may not comply with the regulations.

Electrical equipment and gas cooking appliances

Electrical equipment and gas cooking appliances in rented accommodation must also comply with certain safety requirements. If you have doubts about the safety of any item or appliance within rented accommodation, obtain expert advice from trading standards.
Every year 500 people die and 10,000 people are injured in fires in the home. It is therefore important to know how to prevent a fire and how to protect yourself should one occur.

Chip pans and deep fat fryers

Chip pans and deep fat fryers are one of the most common causes of fire in the home, but if you follow some simple guidelines, you'll keep your kitchen safe.

• always dry the food before putting it in the pan.
• never fill a pan more than one-third full of fat or oil.
• never leave the pan unattended when the heat is switched on.
• never put the food in the pan if the oil begins to give off smoke. Turn off the heat and leave the oil to cool, otherwise it could catch fire.

What to do if a pan is on fire

• do not move it.
• turn off the heat if it is safe to do so, but never lean over the pan.
• cover the pan with a fire blanket, damp cloth or tea towel and leave it cool for at least 30 minutes. Never throw water onto the fire.
• if you are not sure that you will be able to put the fire out, do not attempt to do so. Leave the room, close the door and call the fire brigade.

Cigarettes

Never leave a lit cigarette unattended, or smoke in a chair if you think you may doze off. Never smoke in bed.

Night time fire prevention routine

Many fires in the home start at night. It is therefore important to ensure that you go through this night time routine:-

• switch off and unplug all electrical appliances that are not designed to stay on.
• extinguish all cigarettes and ensure that the contents of ashtrays are cold before emptying them. Also remember to extinguish candles.
• close the doors of all rooms.

Smoke alarms

Housing legislation requires that a HMO property must have:-

• mains operated smoke and heat detectors which are linked together throughout the house.
• if your house does not have these facilities you should discuss this with your landlord. If your landlord is not helpful you should inform your local Environmental Health Housing Department.

A smoke alarm can give you a few minutes of warning which could give you and your housemates time to get out safely. If your landlord has not already fitted a smoke alarm it would be well worth investing in a basic battery operated smoke alarm, until your landlord has fitted the specified type of alarm system. An alarm will only cost around £5. You should choose an alarm which meets British Standard BS5446 part 1 and carries the kitemark. It is very important to ensure that someone in your house takes responsibility for testing the battery each week.

What to do if a fire starts

If a fire occurs in your home, you may have to get out in dark and difficult conditions. Smoke and fumes can kill, you will therefore only have a short time to get out of the house. Use it wisely and try not to panic. Escaping from a fire will be a lot easier if you have already planned out your escape route and know where to go. Make sure that your planned escape route remains free of any obstructions.

If possible, close the door of the room where the fire is and close all doors behind you as you leave. This will help delay the spread of fire and smoke. Before opening a closed door, use the back of your hand to touch it. Don't open it if it feels warm, as the fire will be on the other side.
Get everyone out as quickly as possible. Don't stop to collect valuables or possessions. Phone 999 for the Fire Brigade.

If you are cut off by the fire

Try to remain calm. If you are unable to use the door because of flames or smoke, close the door and use towels or sheets to block any gaps. This will help to stop smoke spreading into your room.

Make your way to the window. If the room becomes smoky, crawl along the floor where it's easier to breathe. Open the window and attract the attention of others who can alert the fire brigade and wait for the fire brigade to arrive.

The fire brigade should arrive in a matter of minutes. If you are in immediate danger and your room is not too high from the ground, drop cushions or bedding to the ground below to break your fall from the window. If you can, get out feet first and lower yourself to the full length of your arms before dropping.

Your local fire brigade will be able to provide you with further information on fire safety issues. A website on fire safety issues in domestic premises is also available at www.homeoffice.gov.uk under emergency services (fire safety).

Damp and mould

Damp can cause mould on walls and furniture and can make timber window frames rot. Damp housing encourages the growth of mould and mites and can increase the risk of respiratory illness.

Some damp is caused by condensation. There is always moisture in the air. If the air gets colder, it cannot hold all the moisture and tiny drops of water appear (condensation). Condensation occurs mainly during cold weather. It appears on cold surfaces and in places where there is little movement of air. It may be most obvious in corners, near windows, in or behind wardrobes and cupboards or on north-facing walls. By taking a few simple measures you will be able to reduce the moisture in the air and therefore reduce condensation.

• cover pans and do not leave kettles boiling.
• avoid using paraffin and portable flueless bottled gas heaters, as these heaters put a lot of moisture into the air.
• dry washing outdoors on a line, or put it in the bathroom with the door closed and the window open or fan on.
• tumble dryers should always be vented to the outside of the property.
• Ventilate to remove moisture by opening your windows regularly.
• keep a small window ajar or a trickle vent open when someone is in the room.
• ventilate kitchens and bathrooms when in use, by opening the window wider, or using the extractor fan.
• close the kitchen and bathroom doors when these rooms are in use, even if the kitchen or bathroom has an extractor fan, as this will help prevent moisture reaching the other rooms, especially bedrooms, which are often colder and more likely to get condensation.
• avoid putting too many things in cupboards and wardrobes as this stops the air circulating.
• in cold weather it may help to keep low background heating on all day, even when there is no one at home. When the whole home is warmer, condensation is less likely.

Mould

Treat any mould you may already have in your home. If you deal with the basic problem of condensation, mould should not reappear.

To kill and remove mould, wipe down walls and window frames with a reputable fungicidal wash. Follow the manufacturer's instructions precisely. Do not try and remove mould by brushing or vacuum cleaning, as this can increase the risk of respiratory problems.

The only lasting way of avoiding severe mould is to eliminate dampness. Damp may also be caused by a leaking pipe, overflow, or damaged guttering, or by rain seeping through the roof if tiles or slates are missing. Rain may also penetrate through window frames. Damp may also be due to rising damp, due to a defective damp-course or no damp-course. If this is the case, phone your landlord for help. If your landlord is not helpful phone your Local Environmental Health Department.

Food poisoning

Last year there were around 100,000 cases of food poisoning in the UK. The symptoms of food poisoning can last for days and include abdominal pains, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. Symptoms can start between a few hours and a few days after eating the contaminated food. The last thing you want is a bout of food poisoning when you're supposed to be enjoying yourself and studying. The following measures will therefore help to prevent food poisoning:-

Most bacteria are killed at temperatures of 70°c and above. Bacteria will not grow, or will grow slowly below 5 °c. They will start to grow again if food is stored between 5-63°c. It is therefore important to follow the following rules:-

Always ensure that your fridge temperature is 5°c or below and your freezer temperature is below -18°c. (Fridge thermometers are reasonably cheap and widely available). After shopping get chilled and frozen foods home as quickly as possible.

Cook foods thoroughly and serve them piping hot. Don't leave perishable foods out on a kitchen surface, or keep food luke warm for long periods, as bacteria will multiply at these temperatures. Food can easily be contaminated with bacteria from other foods, people, kitchen equipment, insects, pests and pets. (known as `cross-contamination' ).

Always wash your hands with clean, hot soapy water and dry thoroughly before touching food. Use clean, or freshly laundered dishcloths and tea towels (or let pots air dry).

Wash hands utensils and surfaces thoroughly after preparing raw meat, fish, eggs and poultry and before contact with other cooked and ready to eat foods.

Always keep raw and cooked foods apart. Always store raw meat, poultry and fish on the bottom shelf of the fridge. This is to prevent raw products (for example blood from meat), contaminating foods that are not going to be cooked. This may be a problem when you are sharing a fridge with several other people. You must therefore ensure that your food is kept well wrapped or in containers.

Do not let household pets on food preparation surfaces and always wash your hands after handling animals.

Left-overs

Don't leave left-overs out at room temperature. Put cold foods back in the fridge immediately. Let hot foods cool thoroughly before putting in the fridge, but try not to leave food out for longer than one to one and a half hours. Eat all leftovers within two days. Never re-heat foods more than once.

If you experience food poisoning symptoms, it is important that you visit your doctor to determine whether you have food poisoning. If you have food poisoning your doctor will inform your local Environmental Health Department, in order to try and identify how you may have been infected. Do not prepare food for other people, if you have been sick, have diarrhoea or have a sore throat, as you can pass on harmful bacteria to others.

Healthy eating

Healthy eating need not be expensive or boring! A healthy varied diet will make you feel well and help you to stay healthy. It will also reduce the risk of developing many conditions such as heart disease, constipation, obesity, cancer, and tooth decay. It may however be tempting if you just have to cook for yourself, to skimp on the nutrients you need to make up a healthy diet. It may help to share the cooking with housemates, which will encourage you all to cook a variety of dishes and may also be cheaper.

It is important to eat a mixture of foods to get the right amount of nutrients.

Starchy foods such as bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, beans and lentils should be the main parts of your meals. Choose wholegrain varieties such as wholemeal bread, brown rice and wholegrain pasta, as these are rich in fibre and contain vitamins and minerals. It is important to remember that if you include a lot of fibre in your diet, you should also drink plenty of fluids.

It is recommended that everyone should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables everyday. This includes fresh, frozen and canned fruit and vegetables, salad vegetables, dried fruit and fruit juice.

One portion =

• one whole medium sized fruit or vegetable, such as an apple, orange or banana.
• two small fruits or a cup of very small fruits. eg two plums or a cup of grapes or berries
• half to one tablespoon of dried fruits, eg dates, sultanas, apricots or two to three tablespoons of cooked or canned fruit
• a piece of a big fruit such as half a grapefruit, or a wedge of melon.
• two tablespoons or raw cooked, frozen or canned vegetables.
• a bowl of salad.
• a glass of fruit juice (only counts once per day). Don't count squash!

You should eat a variety of milk and dairy products and meat, fish, nuts, beans and meat alternatives, but you don't need large amounts. You should choose lower fat options where possible. Fish, chicken, turkey and lean meat are obviously better than the fatty meats. Choose lower fat milk, yoghurts and cheeses where possible.

Foods containing fat and sugar, such as biscuits, cakes, sweets, puddings, butter, margarine, crisps and cooking oils are usually high in fat or sugar. You should try not to eat too many of these, but enjoy them as treats.

Alcohol

Getting drunk a laughing matter?

When you go to university, you may find yourself drinking a lot more than you ever have before. Local bars are often popular meeting place for new students, especially in the first few weeks. You may find that your alcohol consumption increases without you realising it. This could eventually lead to financial problems and difficulties with your studies as well as long-term risks to your health, such as emotional problems, heart disease and liver damage.

There's nothing wrong with having a few drinks with friends, but it is wise to stick to the recommended limits, to avoid the health problems associated with excess alcohol and being involved in an accident due to alcohol.

If you get totally drunk, you put a great strain on your liver and other parts of your body. It also makes you dehydrated. If you're into sport, heavy bouts of boozing damages the red muscle fibres you need for endurance, so you're performance will begin to suffer. Regularly drinking too much also increases the risk of damaging the white muscle fibres that are needed for sprinting and jumping. More of a step, stagger and fall than hop, step and jump! Alcohol is also high in calories, with no real food value. It is worth remembering that women should drink no more than two - three units of alcohol a day, and men should drink no more than three-four units a day. If you keep within these limits there should be no significant risks to your health, but regularly drinking more than this per day, will carry an increased health risk.

There is one unit of alcohol in half a pint of ordinary strength beer, larger or cider: (ordinary strength is about 3.5%ABV), a 25ml pub measure of spirit (40% ABV), or a small glass of wine (9%ABV). There is more than one unit in half a pint of strong beer, lager or cider, or a stronger glass of wine, for instance many wines are 11 or 12% ABV.

Boozing and accidents

Around half of all pedestrians aged 16-60 who are killed in road accidents have more booze in their blood stream than the legal drink drive limit. In addition, around half of all adults admitted to hospital with head injuries are drunk. Nearly half of household fires are linked with people who have been drinking and you are also more likely to get into confrontational situations with other people.

If you have sex under the influence of drink, you are much less likely to use condoms, which will increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy.

Contraception

Advice on contraception is available from your local family planning clinic. Most GP's will also offer this service. These services will be advertised in your local phone book or yellow pages and may also be advertised in your students' union or by NHS Direct. NHS Direct can be contacted on 0845 46 47 or on the website on www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Emergency contraception

If you have forgotten to use contraception, or you think your contraception has failed, emergency contraception used at the right time, can usually prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraception pills will work best if they are started within 1 day of having unprotected sex, but they must be started within 3 days. A Coil (Intrauterine Device or IUD) can also be used and should be fitted within 5 days. The doctor or nurse will be able to give you further advice on these methods.

Emergency contraception is usually available from the following places:-

General Practitioners

You can go to a different GP from your usual one for these services). When you ring for an appointment, you must stress that you want an emergency appointment for emergency contraception.

Family Planning Clinics

A Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) Clinic (Also known as Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics (STD) Clinics).

Hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) Dept (This should only be used as a last resort. Try to use one of the other services first).

Advice

You can call Sexwise free on 0800 28 29 30 for confidential help regarding relationships and contraception (open 7am - midnight seven days a week).

Safer sex

Anyone who has unprotected (unsafe) sex can come into contact with sexually transmitted infections (STI's). There are many sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, gonorrhoea, herpes and chlamydia. Chlamydia is very common, but you may not know that you have it. In women it is a common cause of infertility. Condoms will protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. They will also prevent an unintended pregnancy. Condoms should carry the British Standard Institute (BSI) kitemark and must have a European CE Mark, to ensure quality.

Most condoms are already lubricated. If you want to use a lubricant, use a water based one. Do not use oil based lubricants such as vaseline, baby oil or massage oil, as they damage them. Condoms are provided by Family Planning clinics and Genito-Urinary Medicine Clinics and can be bought from a variety of locations.

What to do If you're worried or concerned about sexually transmitted infections?

If you have any worries about having unprotected sex and sexually transmitted infections, you can contact a health advisor based at a Genito Urinary Medicine Clinic (GUM or STI Clinic). The service is confidential and free. The number will be in the phone book, or NHS Direct will be able to give you a list of local services within your area.

Drugs

People take drugs for different reasons and different drugs will have different effects on people. It is impossible to accurately predict the effects of any drug. Much depends on the amount taken, the user's mood and their surroundings. Drugs can generally be divided into five broad groups:-

• stimulants (drugs which act on the central nervous system and increase brain activity) eg cocaine, crack, ecstasy, poppers, speed, tobacco.
• depressants (drugs which act on the central nervous system and slow down brain activity) eg alcohol, gases, glues and aerosols, tranquillisers.
• hallucinogens (drugs which act on the mind, distorting the way users see and hear things). eg cannabis, ketamine, LSD, magic mushrooms.
• analgesics (drugs which have a painkilling effect). eg heroin
• anabolic steroids (These drugs promote the growth of skeletal muscle and increase lean body mass).

All drugs carry risks, and may effect people in different ways, you should therefore be aware of the following:-

• the effects may be unexpected.
• many drugs sold on the `street' have been mixed with other substances, so users can never be sure what they're getting.
• users may become tolerant to some drugs (eg alcohol, heroin and speed). This means their bodies have become so used to the drug they need to take more to get the effect they want.
• users may overdose (take too much for their bodies to handle). An overdose of alcohol, heroin, gases, glues and aerosols can prove fatal.

It is impossible to describe the side effects of all drugs, in this short booklet. Free and confidential advice about any drugs issue is however available from The National Drugs Helpline on 0800 77 66 00. You can also find out about the services available in your area. Lines are open 24 hours a day.

Remember! If the police have reason to suspect you're carrying an illegal drug they have the right to make you turn out your pockets. They can also take you to the police station and search you. If drugs are found, you could be charged with an offence.

Registering with a local doctor

You should register with a local GP when you move to a new area. Your University may have a medical centre, but if not, you should register with one in the local area. Your college may have a list of the local health centres. The Primary care agency will also have lists of all local GP's, dentists, opticians and pharmacists. Their number is in the local phone book.

Travelling abroad

It can't be all work and no play! But remember to look after your health before you travel abroad. You will need to check to see if you need any vaccinations before you travel. You will need to visit your practice nurse at least two months in advance to determine which vaccinations/malaria tablets you may need.

Useful contacts

Drinkline 0800 917 8282 (confidential information help and advice about drinking)

Environmental Health Department (deals with housing issues and food safety issues mentioned in this leaflet) The number will be in the yellow pages under Local Government, or in your phone book under the name of the Council.

Gas emergency freephone number on 0800 111 999

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)Gas Safety Advice Line on 0800 300 363

HSE National Information Line on 08701 545500

The National Drugs Helpline 0800 77 66 00

NHS Direct 0845 46 47 (Website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk)

You may not always feel that it is appropriate to call a doctor, 999 or go to A&E. If this is the case, but you are worried about a symptom, or just want advice, you can call NHS Direct on the above number. They will put you in touch with a nurse who will provide confidential advice and refer you to another health agency where appropriate. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Health information is also available on the website at the address stated above.

Primary Care Agency (Information on how to find a GP, dentist, optician, pharmacist). In local phone book.

Samaritans 0345 90 90 90 (local call rate).

Sexwise 0800 28 29 30 (confidential information about contraception and relationships).

You should not take the information contained in this document as a complete and authoritative guide to the legislation and health issues. It is only intended to give a brief outline of some of the important issues that may be of use to you.

We hope you found it useful.

Produced by Spelthorne Council's Environmental Health (Health Promotion)