Health and Safety Policies
The majority of information contained here follows a common sense approach. However, as your health and safety is of paramount importance to us, please take a moment to read all of the information detailed below.
The Health and Safety page should be read in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions page and also the Privacy Policy page.
Inside the Gîte
Smoking & Candles
- Smoking is not permitted inside the gîte.
- Please smoke anywhere outside the gîte, with extreme care, especially in the summer months.
- Take care if lighting candles, never leave a candle burning unattended and ensure any candles are properly extinguished after use.
Radiators & Ornamental Stove
- Please do not cover the radiators with anything, even when not in use.
- Should you need to use any of the radiators, please do not go out and leave them turned on. It wastes resources and can also be dangerous.
- In summer your clothing and towels etc will normally dry very quickly on the rotary washing dryer.
- There is a traditional wood burning stove in the living room, this is for ornamental purposes only and not for use!
Charging Phones, Tablets & Other Devices
- We have all heard about or read terrible stories of exploding batteries, therefore, for your own safety and that of the gîte, please avoid charging devices at night time when everybody is asleep, or when you are away from gîte.
- Smoke alarms exist throughout the building, however, prevention is better than cure when it comes to fire, so charge up in the daytime when you are around.
Cooking
- Do not leave food cooking unattended. E.g. Going up to the swimming pool or popping out to the shops, it’s easy to become distracted - I have learned from personal experience!
Toilette, Drains & Septic Tank
- Being a rural gîte, the gîtes waste water outlet runs into a septic tank.
- Therefore, the only other thing that should be put into the toilette is toilette paper.
- No harsh chemicals to unblock the sink or shower drains (just let us know if there is a problem).
Bathroom
- Unlike the U.K., the laws are slightly different here in France and as such there is an electric socket in the bathroom.
- Please use the socket with extreme care and never leave an appliance plugged in or unattended.
- Taps and shower, obviously remember to close off after use.
Failure of Anything
- If something seems broken, please let us know, don’t attempt to fix it and endanger yourself.
- Don’t live in the dark, please let us know if a light bulb goes and we will sort it for you.
The Gîtes Outside Areas
The Swimming Pool & Pool Area
- Eating, drinking or smoking, whilst inside or at the very edge of the swimming pool, is not permitted.
- Please eat, drink and/or smoke at the designated seated area beside the swimming pool.
- For your own safety and that of others, we recommend that you don’t drink alcohol and then use the swimming pool.
- Always walk carefully along the sides of the swimming pool, don’t run.
- If you go to the swimming pool with a young baby/toddler, please make sure that they wear appropriate swimmers.
- Never ever let children swim or play without supervision, even just for a few moments.
- No animals/pets etc are to go inside the swimming pool.
- Ensure the pool cover is opened in the morning and closed at night, it just takes a few minutes.
- The purpose of the pool cover is to keep the heat in and any debris out.
- When you are not using the pool area, please ensure that the safety entry gate is closed at all times.
- In the event of a medical emergency, please see the details further down this page.
- Other than that, have as much fun as you want, just play safe and take care.
Using the BBQ
- Please take extreme care when using the BBQ, especially in the summer months, as hot temperatures can render the surrounding areas to become very dry.
- Don’t light the BBQ with it situated too close to the wooden terrace structure or the gîte.
- Do keep a bottle or jug of water on-hand, just in case the BBQ requires dampening down a little.
- The BBQ can get very hot, so please supervise toddlers, young children and also take care yourself!
- Always ensure that the BBQ is properly extinguished before leaving it unattended.
- Before disposing of cinders and ashes into a bin, wait until the cinders and ashes are completely extinguished.
Smoking & Candles
- As previously mentioned, but to reiterate the importance, in the summer months hot temperatures can render the surrounding areas to become very dry.
- Take extreme care when smoking anywhere outside, please use the ashtray provided and ensure your cigarette etc is properly extinguished.
- Take care if lighting candles, never leave a candle burning unattended and ensure candles are properly extinguished after use.
In the Event of an Emergency
What to Do
- Always contact the relevant Emergency Service first, their numbers ‘Who to Call’ are noted below.
- Contact us second to make us aware of the situation.
- Never risk your own life with fire or any other potentially dangerous situation.
Who to Call
- 15 - SAMU (For Medical Emergencies).
- 17 - Police.
- 18 - Firefighters (Pompiers are also Paramedics and can respond quickly to heart attacks etc).
- 112 - Europe-wide (General Emergency Number).
- It is a good idea to store these numbers into your families your mobile phones.
In the Event of a Fire / Fire Extinguisher and Fire Blanket
- A Fire Extinguisher exists in the gîte for any NON ELECTRICAL fires.
- A Fire Blanket exists in the gîte for any ELECTRICAL fires.
- NEVER use the Fire Extinguisher on any kind of COOKER fire, use the Fire Blanket or a damp cloth.
- Only attempt to use the Fire Extinguisher or the Fire Blanket where you feel you are confident and your life is not at risk.
- E.g. Your toast has caught fire in the toaster!
