At G&K Heating, we are here to share some valuable insights with you about gas safety in the home, and how to keep your family safe from hazardous gases such as Carbon monoxide, one of the deadliest gases. This post will equip you with the knowledge you need to be aware of these dangers and limit the likelihood of leaks. We understand the importance of gas safety at home, which is why we are always here to help.
If you have any concerns or want to learn more about gas safety, don’t hesitate to get in touch on 01273 457742, as we are happy to answer any questions you may have.
What is carbon monoxide?
As we are sure you are aware, carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that can make you seriously ill when inhaled. It can cause breathing difficulties and other serious side effects, which is why gas safety at home is so important.
Carbon monoxide cannot be detected by any human sense, so you never know when the gas is leaking from a boiler or other appliance –which is why the gas is so deadly and safety regarding boilers should be taken seriously.
What are the causes of carbon monoxide poisoning?
There are several common household appliances used for heating and cooking which can produce carbon monoxide if they are not installed or maintained correctly.
Appliances in homes that can produce carbon monoxide include:
- Gas boilers
- Gas cookers and clay ovens
- Gas or paraffin heaters
- Wood, gas, and coal fires
- Portable generators
It’s important that all appliances listed above are checked by a gas safe registered engineer annually to limit the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
On average, there are around 30 deaths per year due to carbon monoxide poisoning from all carbon-based fuels. This is a serious issue that really highlights the importance of raising awareness about gas safety at home.
We want to make sure that everyone is informed and takes the necessary precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. If you have any questions or concerns, we’re here to help. Let’s work together to ensure a safer living environment for everyone.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
· Headaches
· Nausea
· Breathlessness
· Dizziness
· Collapse
· Loss of consciousness.
If you think you have carbon monoxide poisoning, you need to call 111 immediately to get advice or help. The sooner you can be treated for carbon monoxide poisoning, the more likely you are to recover without any serious side effects.
If you think a gas appliance in your home is leaking carbon monoxide, call the free National Gas Helpline immediately on 0800 111 999.
The function of Carbon Monoxide alarms
Carbon monoxide alarms are crucial in detecting the presence of carbon monoxide, especially as the gas is tasteless and invisible.
It is important to always have a functioning alarm in your home, and we highly recommend getting your current alarm checked or replaced to ensure that you and your loved ones are protected.
Top Tips on how to stay Gas Safe
We pride ourselves on ensuring that all our customers are gas safe. Whether this be through a gas safety inspection, or by being on-hand for emergency boiler repairs. We want our customers to feel at ease in their own home – and gas safety is an essential part of that.
We have collected our top gas safety tips at home for you to ensure you’re as safe as possible.
Seek help as soon as possible
If you smell gas or think there might be a gas leak, call the free 24-hour national gas emergency number immediately on 0800 111 999.
Never attempt to work on a gas appliance yourself
It is important to always seek the help from a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. You can book work in with G&K on 01273 457742 – we are always here to help.
Situate a gas detector in the correct place
We advise that your detector is kept near each gas appliance, ideally no more than 5 feet from the ground. This is because carbon monoxide is lighter than air, so it rises faster and, in doing so, will have a direct impact on your health. Keep your gas detector in the right place and if you are unsure, always ask a professional.
Having your boiler serviced annually
Make sure your boiler is working safely and efficiently by having your boiler serviced at least once a year.
Our engineers are trained and qualified to look out for gas leaks such as carbon monoxide and other potential risks. Along with being better for your health, a functioning boiler is better for your wallet too – as a functioning boiler saves you money in the long run.
Know what to do in an emergency
In case of emergencies, it’s important to know how to turn your gas off at the mains. If there is a gas leak, this will prevent any further gas from leaking into your property until an engineer can fix the issue for you.
This is likely to be located by your gas meter, but ask your gas engineer on their next visit and they should be able to help – it is always better to be prepared and know beforehand.
Always ask a gas engineer for their gas safety ID
According to the Gas Safe Register, there are 7,500 unregistered gas fitters in the UK and 250,000 illegal jobs being carried out each year. The lesson here is to always ask the gas engineer attending your property to show their gas safe ID card.
More information on keeping your home gas safe
Make sure that all your gas appliances are properly installed and regularly serviced by a qualified professional – like us. This will help ensure that they’re working safely and efficiently, and that there are no leaks or other issues that could damage your property and your health.
Ensure that you have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in your home, and that it’s in good working order. This will alert you if there’s ever a dangerous build-up of this odourless, colourless gas, which can be deadly if not detected early.
It’s also a good idea to make sure all your gas appliances are properly ventilated. This means making sure that any vents or flues are kept clean and clear, and that they’re not blocked by furniture or other objects.
Other tips include making sure that gas appliances are turned off when not in use, avoiding the use of portable gas heaters, and never using gas appliances for anything other than their intended purpose.
Taking these steps to keep your home gas safe is crucial for your safety and wellbeing. If you ever have any concerns or questions about your gas appliances or the safety of your home, don’t hesitate to reach out to us to ask any questions you may have.
Along with all our gas safety tips at home, look out for warning signs your gas appliances are unsafe such as:
- Dark or sooty stains around the appliance
- Increased condensation
- Pilot lights frequently going out
Gas safe register contact details:
Phone number: 0800 408 5500
Website: https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/
G&K Heating’s details:
Phone number: 01273 457742
Email address: [email protected]
Check out our latest blog post where we delve into the important topic of carbon monoxide alarms and the new legislation surrounding them. Click on the link here to read it now.
By staying informed about this topic, you can take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning – it is always better to be prepared.