One third of Brits don't recognise the signs of an unsafe appliance

A third of UK adults (33%) don’t know the signs of an unsafe gas appliance, according to Gas Safe Register’s research. This Gas Safety Week (17-23 September) Gas Safe Register will be raising awareness about the dangers of unsafe gas appliances, with the support of the industry.

The signs to check for if a gas appliance is unsafe were recognised by some people as; a lazy yellow flame (33%), the pilot light keeps going out (32%), black marks or stains on or around the appliances (29%) and increased condensation inside windows (12%).

One in six adults (17%) also admitted that they take no steps at all to ensure their home’s gas appliances are safe. Nearly half (47%) said they have their gas appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer, two in five (38%) have an audible carbon monoxide alarm and one in three (29%) know to check that their gas engineer is on the Gas Safe Register.

For the eighth annual Gas Safety Week (17th-23rd September), Gas Safe Register will be focusing on a different theme each day to share important facts and advice about gas safety. The themes of these are as follows:

 

Monday 

'FAMILY MATTERS' - Unsafe appliances can be fatal; we are helping families know the signs to look out for to stay gas safe. 

 

Tuesday

‘CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) AND GAS SAFETY RISKS’ – With CO gas known as the silent killer, it is important we know these symptoms. 

 

Wednesday

‘RENTING RESPONSIBILITIES’ - Know your legal rights and responsibilities when it comes to renting a property.  

 

Thursday

‘ILLEGALS’ - Only registered engineers can legally work on gas appliances. Stay on the right side of the law and stop energy theft.

 

Friday

‘EVERYDAY HEROES’ - Celebrating gas engineers as everyday heroes who keep UK families gas safe.

 

Saturday

‘DON’T DO IT YOURSELF’ - Leave gas work to the experts – registered gas engineers.

 

Sunday

‘SAFETY AT HOME’ - How to stay safe at home and spot unsafe gas appliances.

 

Jonathan Samuel, chief executive of Gas Safe Register,  said:

“This Gas Safety Week we are encouraging families to learn about why keeping your gas appliances working safely is so important. A gas safety check by a registered gas engineer is the first line of defence from a potential fire or carbon monoxide poisoning and we recommend getting a gas safety check every year for peace of mind.”

Gas Safe Register recommends six simple steps to keep families safe and warm in their homes:

  1. Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer.
  2. Double check both sides of your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card to know that they’re registered and qualified to work on your gas appliances.
  3. Have all gas appliances serviced and safety checked every year.
  4. Familiarise yourself with the six signs of CO poisoning; headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.
  5. Check appliances for warning signs that they are not working properly, e.g. black marks or stains on or around the appliance, lazy yellow flames instead of crisp blue ones and condensation around the room.
  6. Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm for a second line of defence against carbon monoxide poisoning.

Show your support for Gas Safety Week 2018:

  • Follow @GasSafetyWeek and #GSW18
  • Visit the Gas Safety Week website and pledge your support

To find out more about the dangers, preventable measures and to find a Gas Safe registered engineer you can used our Find An Engineer  page or call 0800 408 5500. You can also find more information from Gas Safe Register on social media - @GasSafeRegister on Twitter, gassaferegister on Instagram and Gas Safe Register on Facebook and LinkedIn.