How to Stay Gas Safe at Home
Gas provides a cost effective energy source that is relied on by many home owners for a range of essentials including warmth, food and long hot baths. When a gas appliance goes wrong it can be extremely disruptive, but it can also prove to be dangerous if you don’t pick up on any issues quickly.
In order to protect your family and ensure that your home is gas safe, it is important to follow a few basic rules.
Always Call on an Expert
Whenever you have any work carried out on your gas appliances it is vital that you check the credentials of your engineer to ensure that they have the appropriate level of training to complete the job to the highest safety standards. The Gas Safe register lists engineers across the UK who meet a strict set of standards, so you can be sure that you are working with a professional when you locate your engineer through this site. Whenever an engineer arrives at your home, ask to see their identification before they begin work to ensure that they have the correct level of training to complete the specific work that you have employed them for.
Service Your Appliances Regularly
Regular services give a qualified engineer the opportunity to spot any potential problems as early as possible. Not only does this help to keep you safe, but it can also save you money in the long run, since fixing small problems as they appear can help to prolong the life of your boiler, cooker or any other appliance. In between annual check-ups, keep an eye out for any signs of wear and tear that may appear, such as a pilot light burning with a yellow flame or black stains around the edges of an appliance, and call an expert as soon as you notice anything unusual.
Check Your Ventilation
Gas appliances rely on adequate ventilation to ensure that they are able to function correctly and safely. The flame of your pilot light requires an even flow of air in order to continue burning at a regular rate, and any damage or blockages in the ventilation can affect this delicate balance. It is also important to remember that gas fumes can be harmful if they are allowed to build up in the atmosphere of your home, so you should never use a gas appliance for a purpose other than it was intended for. For example, a gas cooker should not be used to provide heat to a cold room.
Be Carbon Monoxide Smart
Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer because it has no odour and causes a range of symptoms that can often be mistaken for other, less serious conditions. By fitting a carbon monoxide alarm you can rest assured that your family will have plenty of warning if any trace of this harmful substance leaks into the atmosphere of your home. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, tiredness and confusion, nausea and difficulty breathing. If these symptoms are worst in the morning and then alleviate when you spend time away from home this is another indicator that it could be related to a faulty gas appliance. If you ever have any concerns about potential carbon monoxide leak it is important to vacate the area as soon as possible, to seek medical advice and to call a qualified gas engineer.T
his post was written by Nicky Hand, who takes advantage of the regular servicing contracts available at 1Gas to ensure that her home is completely gas safe.
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