Warrington Housing Association is proud to be supporting Gas Safety Week 2018 (September 17-23).
Here one of our Property Services Officers, Jeff Lloyd, tells us about the work carried out by our Gas Safe registered engineers and gives us his top tips on staying safe with gas appliances:
“It is our job to make sure that our residents’ gas appliances are operating safely and efficiently. In some instances, people do not know the signs and symptoms of faulty gas appliances and carbon monoxide poisoning. Because of this, we are supporting Gas Safety Week in order to alert the public of the seriousness of unsafe gas appliances and how they can keep themselves and their families safe.
“All WHA maintenance and annual safety checks on gas appliances are carried out by our Gas Safe registered engineer. We are 100% compliant with servicing, which includes the installation of Co2 detectors free of charge, and residents are notified 56 days before servicing is due.
“Gas appliances that have not properly been maintained can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Carbon monoxide is known as the ‘silent killer’ because you can’t see, smell or taste it.
“Therefore, it is highly important to have your gas appliances checked annually by our engineers and know what to do in an emergency situation.
Here are my tips on how to stay gas safe:
- Know the symptoms of CO poisoning; headaches, nausea, breathlessness, collapse, dizziness and loss of consciousness.
- 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, always seek the help of a our qualified Gas Safe registered engineers, who can work on your gas cooker, boiler or fire in a safe way.
- ‘Don’t cut corners’ and always ask to see your engineer’s Gas Safe ID card. Make sure you check the back of the card, which will state which gas appliances they are qualified to work on.
Gas Safety Week is an annual safety week to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. It is co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas.
If you are a homeowner who is over 60 and on a low income, our Home Improvement Agency (WHiA) might be able to help you secure some grant funding of up to £500 to carry out work on any of the following:
- Gas Safety Checks
- Gas Servicing
- Gas Boiler Repairs
- Gas Boiler Replacements
- Gas Boiler Combustion Analysis
- Gas Cookers
- Gas Fires
- Gas Pipework
- Gas Meters
- Gas Water Heaters
For more information or advice on your gas appliances and servicing CONTACT US
