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Keeping Your Family Warm in the Big Freeze
Gas Safe Register has issued an essential safety advice for householders on how to stay warm and safe during the extreme weather conditions.
“With millions of households relying on gas to heat their homes, provide hot water and cook their food during this cold period, it’s important that gas appliances are working correctly to keep you warm,” advises Peter Eldridge, Chief Executive of Gas Safe Register. “If your appliances do let you down, don’t risk your home and your family’s safety by getting someone in who is not on the Gas Safe Register. Using an illegal gas fitter can lead to gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Gas incidents like these killed 18 people in the UK last year and hospitalised a further 310 (Source: HSE Gas Safety Statistics), so it pays to stay safe.”
Gas Safe Register offers the following advice for householders in dealing with faulty appliances in the cold weather:
1. If your LPG appliances let you down, by law you should only use a Gas Safe Registered engineer. All legal engineers are listed on www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.
2. Check the front and back of your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card, make sure they are qualified to do the specific type of LPG work you require.
3. If you suspect an illegal gas fitter, report it to Gas Safe Register.
4. To make sure your LPG appliances work safely and efficiently in the cold, have them safety checked and serviced at least once a year.
5. Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm (British Standard EN 50291), which will alert you if dangerous levels are present in your home.
6. If you smell gas or think there might be a gas leak: turn off the gas at the meter or turn off the gas at the emergency valve and the cylinders/tank if you don't have a meter, extinguish naked flames, open windows and leave the area. Seek medical advice if you feel unwell. If in the UK, or call your LPG supplier.
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