The seventh annual Gas Safety Week will see organisations from across the UK working together, to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Gas safety is important all year round, but it is not always a household’s top priority. Gas Safety Week – coordinated by Gas Safe Register – provides a platform for the gas industry, consumer organisations and individuals to focus all our communications about gas safety in one week, generating interest in the media and having a greater impact amongst the public.
Faulty gas appliances and gas pipework, poor gas fittings and blocked chimneys/flues can be life-threatening – so it’s important for the landlord or agent to arrange annual gas safety checks to ensure appliances are safe and fit for use.
Gas Safe Register figures show that over the last three years, there have been 21 deaths and 815 gas-related injuries the UK.
Richard Priest, head of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s community safety team, said: “Making sure your gas appliances are safe to use could save your life. It is important that people understand the risks posed by unsafe gas work.”
“We are urging everyone who uses gas to ensure that their boilers and appliances are regularly serviced and maintained by a Gas Safe-registered engineer, to be aware of the warning signs of a faulty appliance, and to know the six signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
“We are also asking everyone to do everything they can to spread this message to older relatives and friends.”
It’s in your best interests to let a Gas Safe registered engineer in if they visit your property to carry out a check – but don’t forget to ask to see their Gas Safe ID card first. Make sure you check with your landlord or agent if you aren’t expecting an engineer to call.
Top Tips For Gas Safety
Six simple steps to help keep you safe and warm in your home:
- Ensure that only a Gas Safe registered engineer is used to fit, fix and service your appliances. You can find and check an engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.
- Check both sides of your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card. Make sure they are qualified for the work you need doing. You can find this information on the back of the card.
- Ask for a copy of the landlord’s current Gas Safety Record.
- Know the six signs of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness. Unsafe gas appliances can put you at risk of CO poisoning, gas leaks, fires and explosions.
- Check gas appliances for warning signs that they are not working properly e.g. lazy yellow flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks or stains on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.
- Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm. This will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home. Make sure you test it on a regular basis – if it is not working properly you may not realise until it is too late.
https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk
http://bucksfire.gov.uk/news/be-alert-signs-unsafe-gas-appliances/