It’s the twelfth year of Gas Safety Week. Things are a little different this year. Due to the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth on 8th September, the vast majority of activities planned for Gas Safety Week will not take place as a mark of respect.
However, it’s still as important as ever to highlight the importance of gas safety, and this is the time of year when people start to switch on their appliances to warm their homes. This year, Gas Safety Week focuses on the steps consumers can take to make sure they stay safe, including not trying to do DIY on gas appliances and being aware of the danger signs of unsafe appliances, such as dark or sooty staining around an appliance.
With the cost of living crisis and the rise in gas and electricity costs, it’s a worrying fact that people will try and do repairs themselves and/or miss the annual service they would usually arrange for their appliances.
Top Tips to Stay Safe
1. Only use a Gas Safe Register professional – https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer-or-check-the-register/
2. Check both sides of your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card. Check they are qualified to work on your specific appliance.
3. Have your gas appliances serviced every year.
4. Know the six signs of carbon monoxide poisoning; headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse, and loss of consciousness.
5. Look for the deadly warning signs of faulty appliances; lazy yellow flames (as opposed to a crisp blue flame), black marks or stains around the appliance, and too much condensation in the room.
6. Fit a carbon monoxide alarm – a good quality audible alarm is available from most DIY stores and online.
7. Keep vents and chimneys clear – Don’t block any vents; they are vital to ensure gas appliances burn properly.
8. Use gas appliances for their intended purpose. Don’t use a gas oven to heat a room, for example.
9. Learn what to do in a gas emergency – https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/gas-emergency/what-to-do-in-a-gas-emergency/
10. Share gas safety information with friends, loved ones and neighbours.