Emergency Number
It may be
obvious, but the emergency number is 112. Please remember this as it may differ
from the number you are used to. There is a simple “aide-memoire” at the end of
this document which you can print off and keep by your telephones. Complete the
details such as your address, plot number, postcode, and mobile number. While
you may know these details now that may not be the case when stressed or if
someone is using your property who is new to the area.
Hosepipe
It is useful to have a hosepipe on standby. It should be long enough to extend beyond the boundary of your property and be connected to an outside tap.
Insurance
Is your building
insurance sufficient to cover the rebuilding of your property? If you took the
policy out sometime ago it would be worth discussing the amount of cover with
your insurance company.
Take photographs on your mobile of any items of particular value, i.e. jewellery, watches, or anything that is unique and cannot easily be replaced. Consider lodging the photographs with your insurance company / broker to prevent problems in the event of a claim.
Gardeners / /Property Renovators
You should satisfy yourself that your gardener / property renovator removes all the waste and disposes of it at a recognised site. Ask to see the receipts of such unless you know that the gardener or contractor has a site of their own to dispose of waste. It is illegal and anti-social to dispose of rubbish except at approved locations.
The facility at
Chlorakas will take most rubbish, free of charge.
Smoking
If you have
people in and around your property working for you, please ensure that, if they
must smoke, they do so responsibly or better still, not at all. If someone
has been smoking on your property, it is worth a quick check to ensure no butt
has been left smouldering which could cause a fire.
Regularly check to see if you have any trees growing close or into the overhead electricity cables. All instances of trees coming into contact with or close to the electricity cables, must be reported to the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC). Please take a note of the number shown on the telegraph pole as well as your EAC account number, and contact 1800 at the EAC so that the tree can be trimmed as soon as possible. It is also possible to report such instances online (https://www.eac.com.cy/EN/ContactUs/Pages/default.aspx). Check that the work to trim the trees is carried out and if it isn’t, report it again after a couple of weeks. It should be noted that the EAC will not remove the cuttings and you should contact your local council for collection. If any trees trimmed are on your property, it is your responsibility to clear any debris away.
You should also report any trees infringing the electricity wires that
are not on your property. Again, you will need a pole number. If there isn’t a
number on the pole look at the poles on either side as they may well have a
number otherwise an address will be needed.
Around Your Property
Just before the summer (May / June) each year, check that the area
surrounding your property, as far as you are able, is clear of vegetation.
Mention any concerns to the property owner or, in the case of open areas, your
local council.
Gas Installations and Bottles
Keep all flammable materials a safe distance from all gas tanks. In the event of a fire mention the existence of gas bottles on the property when reporting the fire. The regulations for the installation of gas tanks are quite specific. If in doubt you should have yours checked by an authorised gas installer.
All gas tanks must be used and stored in the upright position.
Evacuation Routes
Familiarise yourself with evacuation routes from your house and from the village. If your main route is blocked by fire, do you know an alternative route out? In your house, for example, does the alternative route require a key and do you know where it is?
Have an
evacuation plan.
Activities Likely To Cause A Fire.
No fire should be started in your garden or vicinity during the period 15 March to early November. You may operate a barbeque which is a specific unit, but you must not dig a pit in your garden to create a cooking unit of any type, nor burn anything. Please wait until any coals / charcoal from a barbeque are cold before disposing of them responsibly.
No work should be undertaken of any nature where a spark could be created during the period 15 March to early November.
Fireworks are not permitted without a relevant permit.
Disposal of Rubbish
There is an excellent free disposal site not only for garden waste, but unwanted electrical items, furniture, old paint cans, etc at Chlorakas – please use it. There is no excuse for dumping by anyone! If you have items to dispose of that you cannot move yourself, please call Andreas on 99 327262 regarding collection. A charge will be imposed based on size of load.
A map of the site location is available at the end of this document.
Useful Information
Prepare a list on your smartphone, if possible, of:
· -Emergency contact numbers for your bank, credit card companies, insurance company emergency numbers and policy numbers etc.
· - Keep a list of all your credit card’s 12-digit numbers. Do not write down the CVV number (the three or four digit number usually on the back) on your card.
· - Details of any medication you are taking.
· If you have a suitable smart phone, take photographs of your passport, residency permit, GESY, birth and marriage certificates.
If you can keep the list and the copies of important documents on your mobile phone this would be most useful.
IN
THE EVENT OF A FIRE
If you discover a fire in your house or close by, keep calm and telephone the emergency services on 112 and give the operator a clear address of where the fire is.
If you are out and discover a fire in a forest you can telephone the Forestry Department on 1407.
If it is safe to do so:
· close all doors, windows and shutters, leave the premises, if this is possible, and go to a place of safety. Do not lock the doors so if firefighters need to gain entry they can do so.
· if there is smoke coming from under or around a door or the door feels hot to the back of your hand, do not open that door. Leave by another means.
· if you have vulnerable neighbours, make them aware and help them leave their property safely.
· only if time permits throw any inflammable garden furniture in the swimming pool. This is not to save the furniture but to rob the fire of fuel.
It is not recommended that you attempt to tackle a fire yourself unless it is of a very minor nature.
If the fire relates to a pan of hot oil, turn off the heat and cover the pan with a pan lid or a baking tray. DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE THE BURNING PAN and NEVER USE WATER TO PUT OUT AN OIL FIRE.
In the event of an electrical fire, switch off the power supply to the relevant appliance.
Otherwise, fires are best left to the professionals who will have the
correct equipment and extinguishers for the job.
Compiled by Alan Totten, Cathi Delaney and John Potter
