TOP TIPS TO STAY GAS SAFE

This Gas Safety Week make sure you are familiar with the following top tips to help keep you, your loved ones and your community safe.

Badly installed and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Every year, thousands of people across the UK are diagnosed with CO poisoning; this highly poisonous gas can kill silently, quickly and without warning, as it cannot be seen, tasted or smelled.

It is strongly advised that all gas appliances in your property need to be safety checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer annually, as well as serviced according to manufacturer’s instructions. For homeowners, it’s also worth having your gas pipework inspected at the same time as having a gas safety check, every year – and, if you’re a landlord – it’s the law.

GAS SAFETY TIPS

Follow these simple gas safety tips to keep you and your family safe.

Get your gas boiler serviced and safety checked annually
Have all your gas appliances regularly serviced and safety checked every year. If you rent your home ask for a copy of the landlord’s current Gas Safety Record.

Check your engineer is qualified to conduct gas work
Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix and service your appliances. You can find and check an engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

Check your gas appliances regularly
Look 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.

Know the six signs of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning:
1/ Headaches
2/ Dizziness
3/ Breathlessness
4/ Nausea
5/ Collapse
6/ Loss of consciousness

If you experience any of these symptoms, open doors and windows, evacuate the property moving to fresh air and seek medical advice immediately. Unsafe gas appliances can put you at risk of CO poisoning, gas leaks, fires and explosions.

Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm.
This will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home.

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. You can find this life saving information on the Gas Safe Register website here.

For further gas safety advice and to find or check an engineer, visit the Gas Safe Register website at www.gassaferegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

All Ariston accredited installers are Gas Safe registered. Their details can be found via our Find an Installer directory.