Helping communities stay gas safe
We are proud to be supporting Gas Safety Week 2021, taking place 13 – 19 September.
Gas Safety Week is an annual safety week to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. It is coordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas.
Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is a highly poisonous gas that can kill quickly and without warning, as you cannot see it, taste it, or smell it.
By taking care of your gas appliances properly you are taking care of your home, your loved ones and even looking out for your local community.
Tony Walker, Gas Compliance Manager, Morgan Sindall Property Services shares his simple steps to keep residents safe.
- Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix and service your appliances.
- 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.
- Have all your gas appliances regularly serviced and safety checked every year.
- 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.
- Keep vents and chimneys clear. Make sure you don’t block any vents, as they are vital to ensure gas appliances burn properly, and chimneys need to be cleaned and checked regularly.
Always follow manufacturer’s instructions for other forms of heat such as LPG heaters. These heaters require large amounts of ventilation to be used in a room.
- Use gas appliances only for their intended purpose. Don’t be tempted to use them for something they weren’t meant for (e.g. using a gas cooker to heat a room).
- Know the emergency procedure. If you smell gas or suspect immediate danger, make sure you familiarise yourself with the emergency procedure and contact the relevant number for your UK region.
- Spread the word. Share vital gas safety information with friends, family and neighbours to make sure your community stays safe.
You can read more about how we are supporting Gas Safety Week on our website here.
