Once again we’re supporting Gas Safety Week, which runs from 17th-23rd September 2018. This is when companies working in the industry get together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances.

Stay informed and stay safe

Gas Safety Week can help make a real difference in protecting people and homes across the UK.

Recent research shows that one third of people¹ (33%) don’t know the signs of an unsafe gas appliance. And a worrying one in six admitted that they take no steps at all to ensure their home’s gas appliances are safe.

If we can help spread the word about the importance of regular professional checks and maintenance of boilers, gas cookers and fires, lives could be saved every year.

How ‘gas safe’ is your area?

Potential tragedies involving gas appliances and open fires may be closer to home than you would think. Just enter your post code at www.staygassafe.co.uk and you could be in for a shock.

Last summer alone, nearly 1,300 sites²  were identified as unsafe by the Gas Safe Register’s inspections team. Those dangerous appliances in houses and flats could have led to destruction of homes and property – and worse still loss of life.

Faults, ageing equipment or inadequate ventilation can cause fires, gas leaks and even explosions. There’s also the very real danger of potentially lethal carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Look after your home and your family

Don’t wait until your boiler won’t fire up or your gas fire stops working. Gas Safety Week is a great reminder to get your home safe and cosy now, ready for winter.

If you have an elderly or less able relative, you could also perhaps ask them (or help them) to make sure their appliances are safe too.

Four tips for Gas Safety Week:

1. Have your boiler serviced every year

And if you see any of the signs below, don’t delay – call a certified gas engineer immediately to check your boiler is safe to use.

• a lazy yellow flame in the boiler
• the pilot light keeps going out
• black marks or stains on or around the appliance
• increased condensation inside the room or windows

2. Be CO safe

Boilers, cookers, gas fires and open fires should be regularly checked for safety. It’s especially important to get an ‘all-clear’ on appliances if you’ve just moved into a new home³ or if the property has been recently renovated. Sadly, around 50 people⁴ in the UK die every year due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, so be aware of the dangers.

• CO can build up when appliances are faulty or inexpertly fitted or serviced, or when there is inadequate ventilation of flues and chimneys
• CO poisoning can start with headaches, dizziness, breathlessness and nausea, but can soon lead to collapse, loss of consciousness and even death
• Protect your household against the ‘silent killer’ by using an audible CO alarm

3. Rent with safety

Gas Safety Week will include a focus on Responsible Renting. This is to highlight that landlords must guard their tenants from the risks of potentially dangerous gas appliances.

• if you’re renting a property you can ask for a copy of the landlord’s current Gas Safety Record
• tenants have legal rights around maintaining gas safety in a rented property
• make sure students (or anyone who may be renting a flat or a room for the first time) are aware of the potential risks and their rights
• landlords must take their responsibilities seriously regarding gas safety

4. Don’t DIY with gas

Only Gas Safe registered engineers can legally work on gas appliances and gas connections. Don’t be tempted to ‘have a go’ yourself, or allow an unqualified person to carry out work.

• don’t do it yourself – it can be dangerous and it could be deadly
• when an engineer arrives, check they are properly registered to carry out the work in your home by asking to see their Gas Safe ID card
• to guarantee your safety, only ever use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix and service your appliances

We’re here to help

If you think your boiler may need replacing, contact us for a no obligation home energy assessment. You can find out more about getting your heating ready for winter with InstaGroup expert John Francis. You can also read some of our top tips for boilers.