Gas Safety Week 2018

13-09-2018

We are proud to once again be supporting Gas Safety Week 2018, which is taking place 17th - 23rd September.

Every year Gas Safety Week raises awareness of gas safety and the importance of ensuring the safe operation of your gas appliances. It is co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas services.

Demonstrating our commitment to your safety, we are on the Gas Safe Register (registration no. 621972), and our registered engineers are approved to install, maintain and repair both domestic and non-domestic gas services.

Gas Safety Week raises awareness of the dangers of badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Every year thousands of people across the UK are diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning. It is a highly poisonous gas. You can't see it, taste it or smell it, but it can kill quickly with no warning.

This is why it is so important to ensure gas safety.

By taking care of your gas appliances properly you are taking care of your home and your loved ones. Follow these few simple checks to keep you and your family safe:

• Gas appliances should be safety checked once a year and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Set a reminder so you don't forget at www.staygassafe.co.uk.
• Make sure your engineer is Gas Safe registered. You can find and check an engineer at www.gassaferegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.
• Check your engineer's Gas Safe Register ID card. Double check that they are qualified for the work you need doing. You can find this information on the back of the card.
• Watch out for warning signs your appliances aren't working correctly e.g. lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.
• Know the six signs of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.
• Have an audible carbon monoxide alarm. This will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home.

Landlords

Landlords are legally responsible for the safety of their tenants. If you're a landlord, you should make sure maintenance and annual safety checks on gas appliances are carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

If you're a landlord, you're legally obliged to:

• Pipe-work, appliances and flues provided for tenants are maintained in a safe condition.
• All appliances and flues provided for tenants' use have an annual safety check. Set a reminder so you don't forget at www.staygassafe.co.uk.
• Maintenance and annual safety checks are carried out by an engineer registered with Gas Safe Register.
• All gas equipment (including any appliance left by a previous tenant) is safe or otherwise removed before re-letting.
• A Gas Safety Record is provided to the tenant within 28 days of completing the check or to any new tenant before they move in.
• You keep a copy of the Gas Safety Record for two years.

Tenants

By law, landlords must keep gas appliances supplied for tenants in a good condition. Landlords should arrange a gas safety check every twelve months, and provide tenants with a record of this check.

If you purchase or own gas appliances as a tenant, you are responsible for their safe operation, not your landlord. It is your responsibility to check and service your gas appliances once a year to take care of your home and your loved ones.

For gas safety advice or to find and check an engineer visit the Gas Safe Register website. Alternatively call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500.