Landlords are being warned of the dangers of unsafe gas appliances this Gas Safety Week.

The seventh annual Gas Safety Week currently runs (from Monday 18th September) until Sunday 24th September.

As part of the initiative, landlords are being urged to take time to make sure that they and their tenants stay protected this winter, by following these simple steps to staying gas safe, issued by the Gas Safety Week campaign, co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register:

TOP TIPS TO STAY SAFE

Six simple steps to help keep you safe and warm in your home

• 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 both sides of your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card. Make sure they are qualified for the work you need doing. You can find this information on the back of the card.
• 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.
• Know the six signs of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness. Unsafe gas appliances can put you at risk of CO poisoning, gas leaks, fires and explosions.
• 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 too much condensation in the room.
• Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm. This will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home.

Remember, you must have a valid gas safety certificate that can only be issued by registered gas engineers that have checked the gas supply, gas appliances, gas flues and ventilation.