Gas appliances ‘at risk’ – get yours checked now

Stay Gas Safe, Gas Safety Week

Householders in the North West are being urged to have their gas appliances checked regularly as new figures reveal thousands of gas cookers, fires and boilers were found to be at risk or immediately dangerous by gas engineers over the past two years.

The findings come from emergency incidents attended by National Grid, the company which runs the gas distribution network across the UK.

National Grid is backing Gas Safety Week 2014 which is co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas pipework and appliances.

Across the North West, more than 30,000 appliances from water heaters to tumble dryers were either at risk or immediately dangerous – the vast majority in the latter category.

Almost a third of this figure was made up by gas cookers, where 8,919 were found to be immediately dangerous and a further 1,284 at risk.

"These figures show just how important it is to have a properly qualified, Gas Safe registered engineer check over your appliances once a year and have them serviced regularly ,’ said Ian Palfreyman, National Grid Head of Operations.

"We are fully committed to the safe delivery of gas through our network to households across the North West, and want to play our part in highlighting the potential dangers of having unsafe appliances which use this gas supply."

As well as gas cookers, more than 6,000 gas fires in the region were found to be in one of the two risk categories, as well as the installation pipework in over 2,000 homes, almost 1,500 wall heaters and 1,200 boilers.

Russell Krämer, chief executive for Gas Safe Register, said: "Every year, far too many people suffer from preventable gas related accidents, such as gas leaks, explosions, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s great therefore, that National Grid has pledged its support and is raising awareness of gas safety issues, helping to let the 23 million gas consumers in the UK know about the simple checks they can make to stay safe."

Follow these simple checks to stay gas safe:

• Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer when having gas work carried out in your home. You can find a registered engineer in your area by calling Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500 or visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk
• Get your gas appliances safety checked at least once a year and serviced in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. This includes your gas boiler, gas cooker and gas fire. Sign up at www.staygassafe.co.uk for a free reminder service.
• Check the front and back of your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card, making sure they are qualified to do the specific type of gas work you require.
• Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm which will alert you if dangerous levels are present in your home.
• Check for warning signs your appliances aren’t working correctly, such as lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.

If you have a gas-related emergency, please call 0800 111 999 to report it.

For more information or to find Gas Safe registered engineer visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.