Date: 11th September, 2018
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has pledged its support for Gas Safety Week (17-23 September) and will be using the week to raise awareness of gas safety as well as urging the public 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.
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.
Safe & Well Manager Vikki Thomas said: “We recommend that homes with solid fuel burning appliances, such as wood burners, agas and open fire places have carbon monoxide detectors as well as working smoke alarms. CO detectors can be bought in most supermarkets and DIY stores – they’re not expensive and they save lives. It’s really important to ensure you check your CO detectors regularly and we remind the public to do this.”
Jonathan Samuel, managing director for Gas Safe Register, said: “It’s great to have the support of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service this Gas Safety Week. By working together we can reach more people and help to reduce the number of dangerous gas appliances that could be lurking in the homes of the UK’s 23 million gas consumers. We know from our own investigations data that one in six gas appliances in the UK are unsafe2 meaning far too many people are victims of preventable gas related incidents.”
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