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Forces sweethearts

If you have a family member in the Royal Navy, RAF or army, find support from other Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

I have moved into MQs for the first time ever and...

30 replies

BennyAndJoon · 24/03/2009 20:21

... the cooker has the dials on the front, and if you turn them on the gas keeps coming.

The banisters on the landing and stairs are horizontal, not vertical spindles, horizontal planks.

I have a toddler.

She will turn on the gas and walk away, and she has started climbing up the banisters (with a fucking huge drop to the bottom of the stairs underneath)

So am I meant to watch her for every second that she is awake ? Or am I entitled to ask them to sort things???

OP posts:
pinkem · 24/03/2009 20:23

Call and inform them of the problems, then when they tell you they can't do anything complain in writing and call them everyday until they do!! Good Luck x

gemmummy · 24/03/2009 20:27

hi benny, where are your quarters? With regards to your banisters, if you ring MHs they will come and board them up for you. They don't look pretty but at least it's safe. I haven't had mine done yet, my DS is 18mo but I have stair gates top and bottom and never let him upstairs alone. However, the minute he shows any interest in banister diving I'll be on the phone! As to the cooker, you can get cooker guards that will prevent them from reaching the dials by covering them up...welcome to the wonderful world of Forces Housing .

callmeovercautious · 24/03/2009 20:27

I suggest a nice visit to housing with a little list of these items and a smile on your face.

If that fails start moaning.

You can get hob guards so they should be able to fix that one. The Bannisters will be subject to regs. There are guidlines on what is safe and not - e.g width between verticle spindles so DC can't fall through, there must be something about a ladder!!!

If you are new to it all another little tip - take photos now of any damage you have seen otherwise you might get charged on March out for something you did not do.

Saltire · 24/03/2009 20:30

Yes, take photos.
Just say two words if they won't sort out the bannisters. the words are "The Sun". Works well i find. Welcome to the world of magnolia walls, ill fitting kitchen cupboards, garages that are too small for your car,damp, I could go on!

Original poster
BennyAndJoon · 24/03/2009 20:39

Oh thank you

I will take photos, and am going to visit this thing called the "hive" tomorrow.

TBH - I am planning to put the stupid (useless) cooker in the garage, buy one to replace it, use that and then put the pristine crap one back in for march out [evil]

The banister thing is v v worrying though.

OP posts:
Saltire · 24/03/2009 20:49

Well I hope you have more luck with your HIVE than I do. I keep getting told (bearing in mind there are 3 within a very short distance form each other) "Oh we're Naval HIVES you need an RAF one"

gemmummy · 24/03/2009 21:31

if u ever need any more advice, there's loads of us knocking around on here, serving and spouses, always happy to help x

madwomanintheattic · 25/03/2009 10:56

just ask for 3 stairgates and save yourself the trauma. top, bottom and kitchen door. you can keep requesting the other stuff as you go on, but at least you'll be safe whilst the saga continues. we've put ceiling height bookshelves along the banisters in the hall. it's now dark, and narrow, but safe lol.

it took them a year to do the minor adaptations for disabled dd here...

you're going to buy a cooker?
blimey. that's keen.

ours is the same. with the added advantage that it takes 3 hours to roast a chicken. (apparently the pipes - that are inlaid in the concrete flooring) are too narrow to pipe the gas effectively... the mod won't pay for the pipes to be redone, and it would mean we would have to move out in any case.

good luck with your list x

Drusilla · 25/03/2009 17:46

Saltire that thing about your Hive is appalling! Have you complained?

Insanity · 25/03/2009 20:33

Saltire The HIVE is a tri service thing and shouldnt matter what service you are part of. I would find out who the regional manager is and give them a ring (but then, i like to complain lol!)
As for the cooker BennyandJoon I would mention what your toddler does with the dials. I had the same problem when my ds was younger and the hob guards I had didnt stop him.
I finally got a new cooker. My old cooker had a warped oven door (may have something to do with it being slightly bent - absolutely no idea how that happened.....honest!) !!!
The new cookers now have safety lids, which means the gas only starts if the lid is lifted.

McDreamy · 26/03/2009 18:44

Hey Benny - you've moved in!!!! Did you make it to the HIVE? I am planning to go there on Friday morning with DS if you fancy a coffee? I know you say the cooker is a worry but I am so of you having gas - I have 1970s electirc

Original poster
BennyAndJoon · 27/03/2009 10:25

Oh McD - only just came back to this thread. Sorry I have missed you

Fancy a coffee some time next week?

I am going to get over to the hive after DD has a nap I hope (just have to find it now), as I have discovered that the 1960s gas fire in the living room has the same problem as the oven

OP posts:
Original poster
BennyAndJoon · 27/03/2009 10:43

oh - just realised the hive is only open until 1pm. Will have to wait for DD to finish with mr tumble!

OP posts:
McDreamy · 27/03/2009 13:51

Did you go to the HIVE this morning? I was there!! Let's arrange to meet next week. When is good for you?

Original poster
BennyAndJoon · 27/03/2009 13:54

I did go. The play bit is FAB. I wish I had known about that part of it on Tuesday when DD and I were going out of our heads!

Yes yes yes to meeting next week. At the moment any time is good for me. How will we spot each other?

Oh - and the hive staff were sympathetic about the gas and stuff. There is a sergeant who is back at work on Monday, and they said that he Gets Stuff Done on the housing front.

OP posts:
McDreamy · 27/03/2009 13:56

Hmmm ok how do we spot each other? Well I will be the one with 2 children, a 3 year old boy and a 7 week old DD. You have a DD don't you?

McDreamy · 27/03/2009 13:59

Glad to hear you might have found someone who can get things done!

And FWIW the play area was shut tues weds and thurs as they were upgrading it. That's why we went in today, it reopened this morning - our first visit too!

Original poster
BennyAndJoon · 27/03/2009 14:05

Oh, I think I may have seen you. (For some reason I thought your new one was a boy). Were you sat on the sofa with a bloke opposite and your DD asleep on you wearing a red top?

I was the scruffy one who looked a bit lost in a brown coat, black jeans, brown boots and a bad hair day.

OP posts:
Original poster
BennyAndJoon · 27/03/2009 14:06

Yes I have a DD. Blondish curls, 2 years old (and a terror).

OP posts:
McDreamy · 27/03/2009 14:07

Yes that's right she had a little red coat on. Were you sat around the corner?

McDreamy · 27/03/2009 14:09

I'll put that coat on her again next week then you won't miss me!! I can do any day except Thursday morning and on Weds I have my 6 week check at 10am.

Original poster
BennyAndJoon · 27/03/2009 14:18

I was. Felt a bit lost being there on my own

I will be there Monday morning to see the man who can (according to the HIVE staff). Apart from that my week is, so far, clear.

OP posts:
McDreamy · 27/03/2009 14:23

I wondered if that was you! We really need to design a mumsnet pin badge or something! I didn't know anyone either. Monday morning is good for me, DS is in nursery but DD and I would love a coffee and the opportunity to meet a friend!

Original poster
BennyAndJoon · 27/03/2009 14:29

Yay - It's a date. I am going over as soon as I can get DD off the "sweeeengs" (the playground between our house and DSs school is fab, but rather like the sweets at the checkout, hard to get a toddler to pass by). Say 10 ish? Should be done with the Serg by then.

OP posts:
McDreamy · 27/03/2009 14:38

10ish it is! DD will be in a red coat but I think we'll recognise each other after our near meet today