Top tips for keeping you safe in Gas Safety Week

Wales & West Utilities is pledging its support to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of looking after home gas appliances as part of Gas Safety Week 2020.

The company serves 7.5million people across Wales and south west of England and is calling on people to share important gas safety information with each other, while also fitting a life-saving audible carbon monoxide alarm if they haven’t already.

The events this week mark the tenth anniversary of Gas Safety Week (14-20 September). Coordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas, the anniversary sees the launch of the ‘Ripple Effect’ campaign which warns communities how one innocent gas safety slip can have an effect to the wider neighbourhood.

Wales & West Utilities and Gas Safe Register are calling on people in the Exeter area to protect themselves and their neighbours by sharing gas safety tips in their own networks, including neighbourhood Whatsapp and Facebook groups which have been set up during the Coronavirus pandemic. Importantly, the campaign also highlights the public’s knowledge gaps when it comes gas safety, and the simple steps they can take to stay ‘Better Gas Safe Than Sorry’.

With badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances causing gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, there are some simple steps to follow to remain ‘Better Gas Safe Than Sorry’, whether you own or rent your home.

• Save the National Gas Emergency Number 0800 111 999 in your phone and call it immediately if you smell gas or suspect CO.
• Have all your gas appliances regularly serviced and safety checked every year. If you rent your home, ask for a copy of the landlord’s current Gas Safety Record.
• Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix and service your appliances. You can find and check an engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.
• Check gas appliances for warning signs that they are not working properly e.g. lazy yellow flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks or stains on or around the appliance and condensation in the room.
• Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm. This will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home.
• Know the six signs of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.

Wales & West Utilities Head of Emergency Service, Clive Book, said:

“Gas Safety Week is a timely reminder to homeowners and tenants to make sure they know how to Stay Gas Safe ahead of the colder winter months,

“Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. We urge everyone to look at their appliances before the winter sets in, when more and more people start to use their gas central heating.”

“During the coronavirus lockdown we have seen communities come together to support one another. Through taking these simple steps and sharing information, we can save lives.”