8 Gas Safety Tips For Home Owners

Although natural gas is an efficient power source that helps keep your home warm, its exposure can prove harmful. Whether your home has a gas leak or not, you need to know how to keep your family safe. There are hundreds of gas-related incidents that are reported each year in the United Kingdom alone.

Since a faulty boiler is to blame for 26 percent of carbon monoxide casualties and 77 percent of homes used gas in 2011 for heating purposes, you cannot afford to take gas safety lightly.

To help you improve gas safety, we share the top tips mentioned below.

Get your gas appliances checked and serviced annually

One of the top gas safety tips you need to consider is getting your gas appliances checked and serviced each year. Landlords in the UK are obligated to conduct annual gas safety checks for their tenants.

On the other hand, if you are renting a property, you should ask your landlord to copy the most recent gas safety certificate. Homeowners must understand that getting their gas appliances checked each year helps prolong their life and keeps everyone safe.

The average gas safety certificate cost in the UK is around £60 to £90. It is highly recommended that you also get your boiler serviced annually to run safely.

Always hire a gas safe engineer for annual safety checks

Next, you must check to see that the engineer has a Gas Safe registration. You can head over to the Gas Safe register to view the official list of engineers who have been permitted to conduct gas work in the United Kingdom.

When you visit the Gas Safe register website, all you have to do is enter the license number of the Gas Safe registered engineer, which can be found on the engineer identification card. This ID card has all the information of the engineer. If the engineer does not have a valid ID card, you must not hire them.

Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly. This is why it is important that you know the signs of carbon monoxide leaks early on to take necessary action. The chances are that you might even be exposed to natural gas leaks without even knowing.

When fuel does not burn entirely, carbon monoxide is produced. Carbon monoxide leaks can be found near the open fire, cooker, water, central heating, gas fire, and boiler. Some of its symptoms are mentioned below.

• Pale skin
• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Drowsiness
• Nosebleeds
• Flu-like symptoms
• Difficulty breathing
• Ringing in your ears

In addition to the above, you may notice dead houseplants, whistling next to the gas line, or dust clouds. Besides this, your gas bill might also experience a spike due to the leaks. It is important that you seek medical care if you experience any of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Get a carbon monoxide alarm installed

Another notable gas safety tip that you should consider is getting a carbon monoxide alarm installed. If you have a stove or a boiler, the best thing to do is get a carbon monoxide detector. It is especially important if the gas appliances have been installed for quite some time now.

To catch gas leaks and keep your home safe, an audible carbon monoxide alarm is the way to go. You need to follow the instructions to install it properly. Make sure that you test its batteries regularly to continue to operate.

Install a carbon monoxide alarm in each room if the property has gas appliances throughout the area. If it starts to beep, you must remain calm and increase ventilation and turn off the fuel-burning appliance. Then, contact a gas safety engineer for help.

Regularly check gas appliances for warning signs

Faulty appliances can cause a great deal of trouble if left unrepaired. It is easy to identify a faulty appliance. Some instances where a gas appliance might not be working include the lights going out, stains around the appliance, increased condensation, and a slow yellow flam.

If you notice that any of your gas appliances are not working properly or show any warning signs, you should immediately contact an expert to get it checked.

Check the chimneys and vents in your home

To prevent a gas safety hazard, you need to regularly check the chimneys and vents to ensure clear. Vents are necessary for enabling gas appliances to burn properly.

It is important that they are never blocked by upholstery or furniture. Make sure that you clean the chimneys and get them checked twice every year to keep your home safe.

Only use gas appliances for their intended purpose

Since messing around with gas appliances has serious consequences, you need to ensure that you only use them for their intended purpose and nothing else. Even though it might sound obvious, gas appliances should never be used for things not designed for.

For instance, you should not use a gas stove to heat the space. Similarly, you must not tamper with gas appliances as it would prove fatal. Thus, you must restrict the usage of gas appliances for the intended purpose alone. It will prevent the possibility of an unwanted emergency.

Know what to do if there is an emergency

If you experience a gas emergency, you must act quickly. Open all the windows and doors if you smell gas to improve ventilation. Then, turn off the gas valve control and vacate from the property. Do not forget to contact your National Emergency Gas line.

Takeaway

After reading our post, you will know what to do to prevent a gas safety hazard. Although gas appliances allow you to carry out all types of tasks, it is crucial that you get them checked and serviced at least once a year. Make sure to follow our tips to keep your loved ones safe.

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