Taking care of your gas appliances

If your home has gas appliances or fittings, you need to be aware of the risks of unsafe gas work and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances.

Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning (a highly poisonous and dangerous gas that you're unable to see, smell, or taste).

By taking care of your gas appliances properly you are taking care of your home and your loved ones. Here are a few simple checks to keep you and your family safe.

Every gas appliance in your home should be checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Even if you get your boiler serviced, do you have your gas cooker checked? And what about the gas fireplace in the living room? If a gas appliance begins to malfunction there are serious risks to your health and even your life.

If you’re having a new gas appliance fitted in your home the work has to be carried out by a GasSafe registered engineer. You also need to know what paperwork you should get at the end, as well as other aspects of a new installation.

Gas safety in the home is the highest priority for Gas Safe engineers. If they identify a gas-related danger in your home, they will attach a 'Danger Do NOT Use' warning label to the hazardous fitting and then issue you with a warning notice. If you’re given a warning notice don’t panic.

If your appliance isn’t working as it should be, there are certain signs to look out for like floppy yellow flames, extra condensation and black marks around the appliance.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can make you seriously ill if you breathe it in as it replaces the oxygen in your bloodstream, causing body tissue and cells to die. Even small amounts of the gas can cause poisoning, and long term exposure can result in paralysis and even brain damage.

CO poisoning symptoms are similar to those of flu, food poisoning, viral infections, fatigue, and a hangover which makes it easy to mistake this very dangerous poisoning for something else.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing the alarm, so if a CO leak occurs, you’ll be alerted to it.

When it comes to home improvements there are a lot of things around the home that you can take care of yourself if you’re into DIY. However, working on or installing gas appliances is not one of them. By law all gas work must be undertaken by a GasSafe registered engineer.

This is essential for gas appliances to burn properly. You’ll want to make sure that no air vents or chimneys are blocked.

We know you’re busy, but gas safety is important for the wellbeing of everybody in your home. If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, it’s important to contact your emergency service provider straight away. 

Visit www.gassaferegister.co.uk for more one what to do for being gas safe at home.