17th-23rd September is Gas Safety Week and we want to raise awareness of gas safety and highlight the importance of taking care of your gas appliances.
Gas safety is important all year around but it’s not always a household’s top priority. However it’s vital that we’re aware how badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning and take the steps needed to prevent these. Follow our top 10 gas safety tips so you can stay safe in your home all year round!
1. Only use a gas safe registered engineer Appliances should only be fitted, fixed, serviced and safety checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You can find and check an engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or by calling 0800 408 5500.
2. Always ask for ID Make sure you ask to see your engineer’ Gas Safe Register ID card both front and back. The front will confirm their registration and identity; the back will confirm they can do the gas work they're employed to do.
3. Know the six signs of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning: Headaches Dizziness Nausea Breathlessness Collapse Loss of consciousness.
4. Know what to do if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning Turn off any gas appliances and turn the gas off at the meter Extinguish naked flames Leave the house and get fresh air immediately - open the doors and windows See your doctor immediately or go to hospital and let them know that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. For more information on keeping your gas appliances safe and how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning click here.
5. Look out for warning signs You might suspect that a gas appliance isn’t working properly if you see lazy yellow flames, excessive condensation and black marks/stains. However, gas appliances can be unsafe without displaying these symptoms, so best practice is to have them checked every year.
6. Buy an audible carbon monoxide alarm Install the CO alarm near to your gas appliance. Alarms are a strong second line of defence against carbon monoxide poisoning. It is also a good idea to test your CO alarm regularly to ensure it’s working effectively.
7. Only use gas appliances for their intended purposes For example, don’t use your cooker to help heat up the room.
8. Allow gas appliances to burn correctly Make sure air vents are clear and that the chimney isn’t blocked with sticks or fallen leaves.
9. Know your rights when you rent! If you're a tenant in a rented property, make sure your landlord provides you with an annual gas safety check
10. Set a reminder It’s a good idea to set a reminder to have all gas appliances safety checked at least once a year. Whether you have a gas boiler, fire or cooker each appliance will need to be serviced to ensure it’s working effectively and that the fuel is burning safely!
