Tenant2Tenant Digital

As the Christmas season approaches, there are some simple steps we can all take to keep our homes safe from fire. Mid and West Wales Fire Service (MWWFS) has lots of helpful tips to follow this festive season. 

Candle Safety:

• Place candles on stable, heat-resistant surfaces
• Keep them away from anything that could catch fire
• Use proper holders
• Avoid draughts
• Never leave candles unattended
• Keep them out of reach of children and pets
• Use a snuffer to extinguish them safely

Lithium Battery Fire Safety:

Most modern devices with rechargeable batteries contain lithium-ion batteries, which can be at risk of overheating, fire or even explosion if they are not properly changed, handled, stored or disposed of correctly.

To help reduce these risks, it’s important to use the correct chargers, avoid overcharging, and monitor devices while charging. Regularly check the condition of batteries and keep them away from extreme temperatures and ever cover devices during charging, be aware that many products purchased online could potentially be a counterfeit item, therefore always source your items from legitimate traders.

Household Electrics Safety:

Many accidental house fires are caused by faulty electrics, including overloaded sockets and faulty appliances. Everyday items such as mobile phone chargers can pose a particular risk, as well as e-cigarettes and electric blankets if used incorrectly or left unattended. Ensuring these devices are in good condition, used according to manufacturers’ instructions, and unplugged when not in use can significantly reduce the likelihood of an electrical fire. Be aware that many products purchased online could protentional be a counterfeit item, therefore always source your items from legitimate traders.

Everyone in your household should also know fire procedures and smoke alarms should be tested regularly.

Labourer Technician - Carmarthenshire County Council

We are looking for a labourer technician with can-do attitude to join our customer-focused Responsive Maintenance Team 

• £13.26 - £13.69 per hour / £25,583 - £26,403 per year
• Permanent/full time
• Based in Llanelli
• Applications close 5 Jan 2026

Our Housing Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Team provides a wide range of support to tenants, residents and communities, as well as progressing formal action to address anti-social behaviour throughout Carmarthenshire.

Recently, our team secured four 90-day closure orders (legal orders that prohibit individuals from accessing premises for a set period) to safeguard residents at risk and to reduce serious disruption within communities. This includes protecting individuals from exploitation linked to drug use, supporting vulnerable residents, and stopping significant disturbances caused by a tenant and their associates in the St Clears area, Y Fan, Granby Close and Llys y Felin (Llanelli).

Our Housing ASB Team has also been awarded possession of two Council-owned homes in Granby Close, Llanelli and Maescader, Pencader due to serious anti-social behaviour and severe property damage.

In the past three months, our ASB team has issued ten community protection warnings/notices to individuals causing nuisance to neighbours and the wider community. Breaches of these notices may result in fixed penalty notices or stronger tenancy enforcement action.

Alongside formal enforcement, our Anti-Social Behaviour Team continues to support communities by holding discussions with those involved, offering mediation and advice, issuing warning letters or community protection warnings/notices, and working closely with Dyfed Powys Police to carry out joint patrols in hotspot areas.

Our aim is to keep communities safe and resolve issues early through communication, support and mediation, using enforcement only when behaviour is persistent, serious or harmful, and when it is necessary to protect the community.

Check your waste and recycling collection dates over the festive period. Changes have been made to ensure services run smoothly during Christmas and the New Year.

Here’s when your bins will be collected over Christmas:

Please remember to:

• Put your bins out by 6am
• Stick to the three black bag limit
• Wash and squash your recycling

Our housing officers are approachable and ready to help with tenancy-related issues and offer support, which includes:

• Practical help with tenancy responsibilities – clear guidance on your rights and obligations to make sure things run smoothly
• Support with financial management and budgeting – advice to help you stay on top of household costs
• Assistance with estate and property issues – ensuring communal areas, estates and homes are well maintained and any issues are dealt with promptly
• Advice and intervention on anti‑social behaviour concerns – supporting tenants and communities to keep neighbourhoods safe.
• Tailored support for vulnerable tenants – extra help for those who need it, including access to services and ongoing support to maintain independence

Simple steps to reduce your energy bills

If you want to reduce your energy bills, these six simple and free actions are a good place to start.  Most of these steps are suitable for households with gas combi boilers.

However, it’s also important not to let your home get too cold, as this can affect your health and increase the risk of damp and mould. Aim to keep indoor temperatures between 18°C and 21°C.

Find out more about managing damp and mould in your home

1. Lower your thermostat if possible and wear warmer clothes Reducing your thermostat by 1°C could cut heating costs by up to 10%.
2. Reduce your boiler’s flow temperature Most combi boilers work well at around 60°C. Lowering the setting can reduce gas use.
3. Turn radiators down slightly This can help you stay comfortable while using less energy.
4. Switch off the boiler pre-heat function This saves energy, though you may wait a little longer for hot water. Check your boiler manual for guidance.
5. Air-dry clothes Dry clothes outdoors as much as possible.  Avoid drying clothes on radiators, as increases moisture levels inside the home and can cause black spot mould where the moisture hits a cold surface within the home.
6. Improve ventilation and shading Open windows when you can, and use blinds, curtains, or natural shade to help manage indoor temperatures.

Our team would like to wish all our tenants a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.