Gas Safety Week: Three-quarters of UK households use gas boilers, but almost 4 in 10 homes lack a carbon monoxide alarm
Almost four in ten homes in England are without a carbon monoxide alarm, according to the latest government data, prompting heating experts at Ideal Heating to urge households to make gas safety a priority as autumn approaches.
The latest English Housing Survey shows that 62% of homes had a carbon monoxide alarm, leaving a significant proportion without one. With around three-quarters of UK households relying on a gas boiler as their main source of heating, millions could benefit from reviewing their gas safety measures before temperatures fall.
As households prepare to rely more heavily on their heating as temperatures fall, experts at Ideal Heating are using Gas Safety Week (14th–20th September) to remind them of the steps they can take to stay safe around gas appliances.
From keeping on top of annual checks to recognising the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, Ideal Heating has shared five things every household should know.
Perform annual checks and maintenance
Keeping on top of regular checks and maintenance is one of the simplest measures you can take to ensure your home is gas safe. This includes:
An Annual Boiler Check
Servicing your boiler once a year will not only keep the warranty intact but also ensure it is running smoothly and efficiently. If you haven’t serviced your boiler already this year, Ideal Heating recommend doing so as soon as possible while demand is lower, as boiler servicing and repairs begin to pick up over the colder months.
An Annual Gas Safety Check
This involves an inspection of relevant gas appliances in your home and should be carried out by a Gas Safe-registered Engineer. If you’re renting your property, your landlord should ensure that these checks are performed every 12 months. This should take only about half an hour and will ensure your appliances are safe and that there are no gas leaks.
Typically, these checks are performed together, so you can ensure your home is safe in a single visit.
Learn what to do in an emergency
Gas is naturally odourless and colourless, so an odorant called mercaptan is added to give it its distinctive sulphur-like or “rotten egg” smell.
Acting fast in a gas emergency is vital. If you think you can smell gas, open all the doors and windows in your home to increase ventilation. Then, if it is safe to do so, turn off the gas isolation valve, leave the property, and contact National Emergency Gas Service. Avoid anything that could create a flame or spark, and do not turn the gas on again until the problem has been investigated and you have been told it is safe to do so.
Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide alarm
It’s important to note that carbon monoxide can also leak from malfunctioning gas appliances, and a carbon monoxide detector should be in place to help detect it. If you have a boiler, stove, or a fuel-burning fireplace, it’s recommended that you have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home.
Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions; it is usually recommended to place the alarm roughly 15 cm away from the ceiling. Regularly test the alarm and batteries to ensure your system is working smoothly.
Understand the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning
Would you be able to spot the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning? There are 6 key indicators, including:
Headaches
Dizziness
Nausea
Breathlessness
Collapsing
Loss of consciousness
If you begin to feel unwell, seek medical assistance immediately, and let them know you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide.
Look out for warning signs on your appliances
Monitoring your heating system can ensure faults or concerns are addressed immediately. As your heating is used more regularly, pay attention to anything unusual or different in how your appliances operate
Look out for any leaks, cracks, or unusual noises from your appliances, and if anything seems out of the ordinary, get it checked by a Gas Safe Engineer.
