Gas Safety Week 2023

We’re proud to support Gas Safety Week, hosted by the Gas Safe Register from 11th - 17th September 2023, to promote keeping the nation gas safe and celebrate all the good work our teams do every day in protecting our communtiies.  #GasSafetyWeek #GasSafety #GSW23

Here is a round-up of our gas safety advice to help keep you, your family and community safe.

Servicing and maintaining gas appliances at home

Your boiler is meant to be serviced annually. An annual boiler service can detect issues early on, such as a gas leak or carbon monoxide, helping to keep you and your family safe and warm.   However, we found that 30% of people only service their boiler every 2 years, or less often, in our recent survey.* Read our latest news story here.

A Gas Safe registered engineer, who is qualified and competent, will check that the boiler and related parts are operating safely. Find Gas safe registered engineer in your area at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk .  Never risk doing this yourself! This would put you, your household and community at risk.

*Gas safety survey by Cadent 2023

Extra help and support for those who need it

The Priority Services Register (PSR) helps us, and other utilities companies look after customers who have additional communication, access or safety support needs. The PSR is completely free to join, if you or a loved one fits within the eligibility criteria and helps to ensure that those customers can access the additional services they need in the event of having no gas supply. This can include providing you with alternative heating and cooking facilities, and password protection to alleviate the risk of scam callers.
Find more information on the eligibility criteria, or register on the PSR today. Alternatively, you can register through your energy supplier, by calling them and asking them to register you or a loved one.

Renting or letting a property

If you are living in a rental property or have tenants, there are new legal requirements for landlords, to ensure that the properties are gas safe and have carbon monoxide alarms available in any room that is used as living space.
As a landlord, you must ensure that all gas pipework and appliances are maintained in a safe condition, provide annual safety checks for the appliances and flues, as well as provide the tenant with a Gas Safety Record annually.
As a tenant, you must check your Landlord’s Gas Safety Record, check gas appliances that you own, and ensure that these are checked by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.  Find more advice here. 

Buying and selling a home

Moving house can be stressful, and there is already so much to remember, but safety should always be the top priority. Beware of a few gas safety checks you should make in your new home:

• Always ensure you have gas safety records, such as gas servicing certificates, for appliances including your boiler. If previous occupants don’t provide this then get in touch with a Gas Safe Register engineer to carry out a gas safety check before you move in.
 
• If renting your landlord has responsibilities including the provision of a carbon monoxide in each room where there is a gas appliance, excluding cookers – this is a new legal requirement in England from 1 October 2022.  Check out how to stay safe as a tenant.
 
• Check your gas meter is safe and has no signs of tampering, as this would pose serious danger from an increased risk of a gas leak.  Find out more about how to spot meter tampering. 

Gas emergencies

If you can already smell gas and/or think there could be a leak, you should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999** at any time of the day or night.

The smell of gas within your property can be alarming and should be treated seriously. There are several important things that you need to do if you smell gas; this guide will take you through the process, keeping you safe and sound should a situation arise.
 

Knowing how to react to a gas emergency could save your property and, more importantly, the lives of those within it. Here are some tips to help you if you smell gas either inside or outside your property.

**Calls are monitored and may be recorded

Make the right call for gas issues – every time, first time

If you know who to call, you can get it RIGHT first time and get help quicker. It’s important  to know who to contact for issues at home with your gas supply, meter or appliances. It's important to remember that the National Gas Emergency number 0800 111 999 is for dangerous gas leaks including the smell of gas or suspected carbon monoxide. If you experience either of these, always act quickly and call the number immediately.
 
For issues with your gas meter problem you should call your gas supplier – you can find their number at the top of your energy bill.  For problems with your gas appliances call a Gas Safe registered engineer on 0800 408 5500 or your energy supplier, if you have a care plan with them.