Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has pledged its support for Gas Safety Week (16-22 September 2019) and will be raising awareness of gas safety throughout the week to help people to keep themse...
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has pledged its support for Gas Safety Week (16-22 September 2019) and will be raising awareness of gas safety throughout the week to help people to keep themselves safe from dangerous gas appliances.
The annual Gas Safety Week will see organisations from across the UK work together to encourage all gas consumers to make sure they have their gas appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer and protect against the dangers of unsafe gas appliances, such as fires, leaks, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Last year over 6,000 organisations supported the week, helping to keep the public safe in their homes.
It is crucial that people have their appliances checked each year to be assured they are working safely and efficiently. People should also Trust the Triangle and check that their engineer is Gas Safe registered. Anyone working on gas appliances while not being registered is working illegally.
All Gas Safe registered engineers carry a Gas Safe Register ID card. Before any gas work is carried out always check the card and make sure the engineer is qualified for the work you need doing. Badly fitted and poorly serviced appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas. You can’t see it, taste it or smell it, but it can kill quickly with no warning.
Warwickshire County Councillor, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Fire, Andy Crump said:
“Every year, thousands of people across the UK fall victim to preventable gas related incidents such as carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, gas leaks, fires and explosions in the home.
“In support of this year’s Gas Safety Week, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are asking the public to reach out to elderly relatives, friends, vulnerable neighbours and people in their community, to ensure their gas appliances are regularly serviced at least once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. We further encourage you to fit carbon monoxide alarms where possible.”
Stay Gas Safe at home this Gas Safety Week by following these top tips:
Sign up to a free annual gas safety check reminder service at www.staygassafe.co.uk.
Be aware of the signs that an unsafe gas appliance may cause such as a lazy yellow flame instead of a crisp blue flame; soot or staining on or around the appliance; excess condensation in the room
Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO gas is known as the ‘silent killer’ as it has no smell, taste or colour. The symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness, which can easily be mistaken for something else
‘Trust the Triangle’ and always ask to see an engineer’s Gas Safe ID card and check it to make sure the engineer is qualified to check or fit the appliance in question.
To find out about dangers in your area visit www.StayGasSafe.co.uk and to find a Gas Safe registered engineer call 0800 408 5500 or visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk.