This week is Gas Safety Week, a chance to raise and reinforce awareness about the importance of being gas safe in our homes.

Celebrating its 14th year, this year’s theme, Checking – Every Check Counts, aims to get us all checking our gas appliances and prioritising gas safety. Preventing the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, is also key.

Carbon monoxide is a particular concern and is known as the silent killer as it can’t be seen, smelt or tasted. If you have a gas boiler, gas appliance, an open fire or log burner in your home, it is vital you have a working carbon monoxide detector – which can be bought from most DIY stores and major supermarkets.

At Sheldon Bosley Knight, we are supporting Gas Safety Week 2024 and whether you are a landlord, tenant or homeowner, it is important all properties which use a gas supply have a regular annual gas safety check completed. This ensures the safety of those living in the property and, if it is rented accommodation, it also keeps the landlord compliant with current regulation.

Here are some top tips:

• Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix and service your appliances. You can find and check an engineer at Gas Safety Register or call 0800 408 5500.
• Check your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card. Make sure they are qualified for the work you need doing. Make sure you insist on seeing their Gas Safe ID card, and check both sides of it. 
• 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. If you have your own gas appliances in the rented property, it is your responsibility to ensure that they are regularly maintained and serviced.
• 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. If you see yellow, lazy flames on your gas hob, rather than the usual blue ones, your hob needs to be checked immediately. Any staining or excessive soot build up on or around appliances might also signal problems.
• Is the pilot light working? If your appliance has a pilot light, do you have to relight it? If so you should get your appliance checked.
• Carbon monoxide alarm. Make sure you fit an audible alarm as this will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home. Ensure you test it regularly!
• Keep vents and chimneys clear. A lack of ventilation around appliances – whether indoors or outdoors – can lead to a build up of carbon monoxide. Vents are vital to ensure gas appliances burn properly, and chimneys need to be cleaned and checked regularly.
• Use gas appliances only for their intended purpose. Don’t be tempted to use them for something they weren’t meant for (eg using a gas cooker to heat a room).
• Check fault lights or codes. Is your appliance performing differently to normal or displaying fault lights or codes? Time for a Gas Safe registered engineer to check it. Check when you last had your gas appliance serviced and ensure you regularly have it maintained.
• What to do if there’s a leak. If you smell gas or suspect there is a carbon monoxide leak, follow the emergency procedure and immediately turn off the gas and open windows and doors to ventilate the property. Do not operate any lights or electrical switches. Leave the house and contact the Gas Emergency service and do not re-enter the property until it is safe to do so. For LPG appliances where the leak is indoors, turn off the gas at the manual outlet valve on the tanks or cylinder(s), open windows and doors to ventilate the property, and do not operate any light switches or electrical switches. Contact your gas supplier so they can make the installation safe and call the Fire Brigade on 999 and advise that there is an LPG Cylinder(s) or tank at your property.
• Spread the word. Share vital gas safety information with friends, family and neighbours to make sure your community stays safe.

Visit the Gas Safe Register for more information and advice. In an emergency call 0800 111 999.