Gas Safety Week
This Gas Safety Week, which is running until the 23rd September, we are supporting the campaign to ensure that as many people as possible are aware of the dangers of faulty or poorly maintained gas appliances and what they can do to improve their safety.
It is advised that, at least once a year, gas appliances are checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer and serviced regularly. Homeowners and landlords should check that their engineer is Gas Safe registered and qualified to carry out the work in question. They can do this on the Gas Safe Register website or by looking at the back of the engineer’s ID card.
Homeowners should ensure that the photograph on the card matches the engineer carrying it. It is also important to look at the start and expiration dates on the card to make sure that the credentials are valid. The license number should be the same at the top and in the centre of the card and there should be a security hologram in the centre at the bottom. Finally, the homeowner should check the reverse of the card to make sure that the engineer is qualified to carry out the work that they are there to complete. For example, if the engineer is set to service a gas boiler, their ID card needs have “gas boiler” listed on the back of their card.
Homeowners can also check for signs that their appliances aren’t functioning correctly. For example, there might be a yellow or orange flame rather than the usual blue one, black marks on or around the appliance, the pilot light might keep flickering on and off or there could be too much condensation within the room. If any of these are the case, it is advised that a registered engineer is called in as soon as possible.
It is also vital that homes are equipped with a working, audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarm to ensure that, in the case of a leak, occupants are made aware of the CO gas quickly. There are also health signs that homeowners and occupants should be aware of. Headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness can all be signs of a carbon monoxide leak. If these symptoms are present, people are advised to open all doors and windows, ensure that their gas appliances are completely turned off and evacuate the property. It is vital that people see their doctor or go to hospital if they suspect they have carbon monoxide poisoning.
Throughout Gas Safety Week, a variety of topics will be explored in depth to ensure that people are aware of how to improve gas safety. To find out more please click here and keep an eye on our social media channels for more information.
