10 gas safety tips for your home

Keeping you in the know when it comes to gas safety

Gas leaks, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, fires and explosions are all potential outcomes from an unsafe gas appliance, however, these risks can be avoided following some very simple gas safety tips.

The vast majority of homes in the UK have some form of gas appliance, so we’ve decided to create a shortlist of top tips to help ensure you stay safe.

Thermatic Homes gas safety tips

Here’s our advice on how to keep you and your family gas safe:

Get an annual gas safety check – you can get a Gas Safe registered engineer to check all gas appliances in your property once a year. In addition to this, they’ll also conduct a visual inspection of your gas pipework and a tightness test to confirm there aren’t any gas leaks. If you’re a tenant renting a property, you’ll need to make sure that your landlord arranges a gas safety check. You should be given a copy of the certificate, you must ensure that you allow this to take place.

If you need a Gas Safe registered engineer – You can use the gas safe registers online search, or you can call them 0800 408 5500 to find a registered engineer in your area.

Check your engineer’s Gas Safe ID card – You’ll need to check the front and back – this is how you’ll know they’re qualified to do the gas work they’ll be carrying out in your home.

Look out for gas appliance warning signs – there are certain signs to look out for like additional condensation, black marks on the appliance and floppy yellow flames.

Know the signs of CO poisoning – these include but are not limited to: headaches, dizziness, nausea, and breathlessness. More severe symptoms are collapse and loss of consciousness.

Buy an audible CO alarm marked EN 50291 – Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing the alarm, so if a CO leak occurs, you’ll be alerted to it.

Ensure adequate ventilation – It’s imperative that your gas appliances burn properly. You’ll want to make sure that no air vents or chimneys are blocked.

Only use gas appliances for their intended purpose – Don’t use an appliance for something it wasn’t meant for – for example, using a cooker to light a cigarette or to heat or dry your room.

If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, it’s important to contact your emergency service provider straight away. Get out of the property until you are told it is safe to return.

Some appliances need specific ventilation – It’s imperative that your gas appliances burn properly. make sure that no air vents or chimneys are blocked.

About Thermatic Homes

Thermatic Homes is a national M&E contractor based in Greater Manchester that provides a one-stop solution for housing associations, from mechanical and electrical services, to build and renewable energy installations and training.