Huddersfield-based heating and plumbing specialist Metro eco is urging businesses and landlords to check their appliances and ‘play it safe’ this Gas Safety Week (16th – 22nd September).
Metro eco, which works in the plumbing, heating and electrical trades and has been based in Yorkshire for 45 years, has regularly seen situations where properties have been dangerously close to disaster, due to the incorrect fitting, the age or a fault in appliances.
Gas Safety Week aims to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
According to the NHS, every year in the UK there are around 60 deaths in the UK from CO poisoning – the ‘silent killer’. Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas, created instead of the harmless CO2 when there is a lack of oxygen during the burning process, or if an appliance is faulty. When CO is inhaled it combines with the blood, preventing it from absorbing oxygen.
David Shaw of Metro eco said: “Most of us rely heavily on gas in both our homes and our business premises and it serves us very well. But it’s worth having a healthy respect for your gas appliances, making sure you look after them and have them checked regularly as the consequences when they go wrong can be deadly. That’s why Gas Safety Week is a great opportunity to remind people of the simple steps they can take to keep everyone safe. The most important thing is to make sure people choose a reputable and qualified Gas Safe engineer to do anything related to gas in their property – it’s not worth taking the chance. Always play it safe.”
Metro eco has produced some top tips for keeping safe this Gas Safety Week:
· Check gas appliances every year – and that doesn’t just mean the boiler as a gas fire is the most common offender. If you are a tenant as to see your landlord’s most recent Gas Safety Record.
· Fit a Carbon Monoxide alarm – choose one which raises an audible alarm when a dangerous level is reached. Every home should also have a working and regularly tested smoke detector.
· Always get a qualified specialist to install any appliances – don’t attempt to cut corners and do it yourself or on the cheap.
· Ensure your engineer is Gas Safe registered – insist on seeing their card and ID and check to ensure they’re qualified to do the work they’re undertaking.
· Check gas appliances for warning signs that they are not working properly – that might include a yellow flame instead of blue one, yellow/brown stains on or around the appliance, the pilot light frequently blowing out, too much condensation in the room or an excessive soot build up.
· Never block the ventilation on an appliance – whether that ventilation is inside the property or outside.
· Be aware of the signs of Carbon Monoxide poisoning – these include headaches, dizziness, nausea, tiredness and breathlessness. Some of these may seem similar to flu and other bugs but do symptoms improve if you leave the property? Do other people seem to be suffering the same? With CO poisoning you won’t run a high temperature, which is often a symptom of viruses.
· If you suspect there’s a Carbon Monoxide or gas leak in the building get out – as quickly as possible and ring the appropriate emergency phone number (Gas Emergency Service 0800 111 999). Always seek medical advice if you suspect you have been exposed to CO.
Metro eco, which first launched in Huddersfield in 1974, is a Which? Trusted Trader. The company covers electrical work, plumbing, boilers, gas and heating for both homeowners and business owners. It directly employs its engineers and insists upon a high level of qualification, rather than relying on external contractors. For more information go to www.metroeco.co.uk
