It’s Gas Safety Week!

This week UK organisations will be working together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.

At DASH Services we take gas safety very seriously and our DASH inspectors are out on the road making sure hazards are recognised and issues are resolved. Unfortunately, we occasionally find gas problems that could have led to serious or fatal gas incidents, had we not took the steps to correct the issue. Recently one of our DASH Inspectors- Darren Gelsthorpe successfully prevented two major explosions. Darren explains:

“The two cases were both discovered as a result of smelling gas within the cellars of terraced properties in the Sneinton area of Nottingham.  The first property I detected a smell of gas when inspecting the cellar and called the Gas Emergency number on behalf of the tenant.  Cadent attended and found that the meter was leaking gas from the test point and carried out repairs to the meter.

The second property was again identified as smelling of gas and a subsequent visit by Cadent found that the incoming gas supply pipe was ruptured/leaking and this was replaced.

In both cases the issue was serious as the gas could have accumulated in the cellars leading to risk of explosion.”

If you are a tenant make sure you always phone the Gas Emergency number if a gas leak is suspected and always ensure that there is a valid Landlords Gas Safety Certificate.

By taking care of your gas appliances properly you are taking care of your home and your loved ones. Follow these few simple checks to keep you and your family safe.

• Check your Landlord’s Gas Safety Record. By law, your landlord must keep gas pipework, appliances and flues supplied for you to use in good condition. They must arrange a gas safety check of the appliances and flues every 12 months and give you a record of the check.

• Check any gas appliances you own every year. Gas appliances should be safety checked once a year and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Set a reminder so you don’t forget at StayGasSafe.co.uk.

• Check your engineer is Gas Safe registered. You can find or check an engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

• Check your engineer is qualified for the type of gas work you need doing e.g. natural gas, domestic boiler. You can find this information on the back of their Gas Safe ID card and the Gas Safe Register website.

• Check for warning signs that your appliances aren’t working correctly, such as lazy yellow /orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance, a pilot light that keeps going out and too much condensation in the room.

• Know the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.

• Have an audible carbon monoxide alarm. This will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home.

For gas safety advice and to find or check an engineer visit the Gas Safe Register website at GasSafeRegister.co.uk. Alternatively call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500.