subject: Gas Safety In The Home: Five Useful Tips [print this page] According to the Gas Safe Register, its important to stay gas safe at home and to eliminate health risks. Faulty appliances can be deadly, so check out these five useful tips and safeguard your abode:
Arrange an annual boiler service
As a homeowner, its your responsibility to arrange an annual boiler service with a company like HomeServe. A Gas Safe Register approved engineer will ensure everythings working properly and will deal with any problems professionally. If they cannot rectify the problem immediately, theyll follow the guidance outlined in the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) to make the installation safe.
Have all has appliances checked
As well as the boiler, make sure all other gas appliances are checked regularly. Badly fitted and poorly serviced appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning, so its not worth taking the risk. If youre worried about an appliance, turn it off and have it examined by an experienced workman before reusing it you can never be too safe.
Check the ID card of all professionals
Its essential to only use a Gas Safe Register engineer to service your equipment as they know exactly what theyre doing. All Gas Safe registered engineers carry a Gas Safe Register ID card at all times, so ask to see their identification before they enter your home. On the front, look for a photo, the start date and expiry date, the licence number and the security hologram. On the back, check their qualifications and make sure theyre suitable for the job at hand.
Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm
Carbon monoxide (CO) has no colour, taste or smell, but it claims the lives of people every year. To keep your family safe, buy an audible CO alarm and install it around one metre away from your gas appliances. If it detects carbon monoxide itll make a loud sound indicating that somethings wrong. Never ignore this noise as you could be in immediate danger. Remember, check the batteries regularly and keep everyone well protected.
Know how to act in an emergency
If you suspect a CO leak, act quickly. Contact the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999 and wait for them to arrive outside. If possible, open all doors and windows (to let the gas diffuse) and avoid playing with any electrical switches (as this could cause an explosion). Importantly, avoid returning to the house until youre the problems been resolved and take out boiler insurance cover for the future.
A little bit of knowledge and common sense can go a long way, so stay gas safe at all times.
