Gas Safe Advice for Homeowners
Gas safety is essential in every home. Faulty gas appliances can cause leaks, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, so it is important to understand the risks and know when to call a qualified engineer. This guide explains how to stay gas safe, the signs of danger and the steps you can take to protect your family.
Heppelthwaite – The Red Van Plumbers are fully registered Gas Safe engineers. We support homeowners across Bucks, Berks, Surrey, South Oxfordshire, West London and Hertfordshire.
Please contact us if you require a local handyman, plumber or heating engineer. Call 01628 533 550 or message us.
Stay Safe with These Gas Safety Tips
Gas appliances should be checked and serviced regularly to keep them working safely. Simple awareness can prevent serious risks.
Important safety reminders
- Have your gas appliances serviced once a year
- Make sure all work is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a gas appliance
- Never block vents or flues
- Keep an eye on yellow or flickering flames, which may show incomplete combustion
If you ever suspect a gas leak, leave the property immediately and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas produced when fuel does not burn correctly. You cannot smell, see or taste it, which makes it extremely dangerous. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning often feel like flu and can develop quickly.
What Causes Carbon Monoxide Leaks?
Carbon monoxide leaks happen when appliances do not burn gas properly. This can be caused by:
- Blocked flues or chimneys
- Damaged or poorly fitted appliances
- Lack of ventilation
- Incorrect installation
- Irregular servicing
A Gas Safe engineer will inspect the appliance and test for harmful emissions.
How Common is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the UK?
Carbon monoxide incidents are more common than many people realise. NHS figures show that more than 200 people in the UK are admitted to hospital each year with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, and around 40 of these cases are fatal. Gas Safe Register data also highlights ongoing safety concerns. Their inspections over the past five years found that one in six gas appliances were unsafe, and there were more than 67,000 gas emergency call-outs in the UK last year alone. In addition, millions of households skip their annual gas safety check, which increases the risk of faults going unnoticed.
If you rent your home, your landlord must arrange a gas safety check every 12 months and provide you with a copy of the gas safety record. Regular checks protect both your health and your home.
Signs Your Gas Appliances Need Attention
You should call a Gas Safe engineer if you notice sooty marks around your appliances, excessive condensation on windows, pilot lights that keep going out, yellow or irregular flames, or unusual smells and noises when the appliance is running. These issues often point to unsafe operation and should never be ignored.
What Are The Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Carbon monoxide is difficult to detect because it has no smell, taste or colour. Being aware of the symptoms could save your life as you can inhale it without realising. If you googled these symptoms then no doubt you’d find a whole bunch of illnesses with the same symptoms. However, the key things to remember are do you only feel like this when you are at home, and do others feel these effects while at your home?
Carbon Monoxide poisoning symptoms
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Breathlessness
If you notice these symptoms and suspect carbon monoxide, switch off the appliance, open windows and seek medical help immediately.
What To Do If You Suspect a Carbon Monoxide Leak
Take action straight away:
- Open doors and windows
- Leave the property
- Call the National Gas Emergency Service
- Contact a Gas Safe engineer for a full inspection
Never try to repair or relight a gas appliance yourself.
What if you are exposed to Carbon Monoxide?
After breathing in carbon monoxide, it enters your bloodstream and mixes with haemoglobin (the part of red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body), to form carboxyhaemoglobin. When this happens, the blood is no longer able to carry oxygen, and this lack of oxygen causes the body’s cells and tissue to die.
Effects of severe carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Breathlessness
- Chest pains
- Fits (seizures)
- Loss of consciousness
- Long term illness and death
Around 10 to 15% of people who have severe carbon monoxide poisoning develop long-term complications. In very severe cases, it can result in death.
Gas Explosions and Fires
Gas leaks can ignite and cause severe damage. Although rare, explosions are often preventable through regular checks and early intervention. If you smell gas, do not switch anything on or off. Leave the property and call the emergency number immediately.
Explosion at a Home in Buckinghamshire
According to Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue, the explosion that destroyed a house in Wooburn Green, Bucks, was caused by a gas leak from a portable heater. The blast levelled the property, damaged nearby cars, and left the homeowners trapped under the debris. They were pulled from the rubble by neighbours and were fortunate to survive such a serious incident.
Preventing Gas Problems in Your Home
Our advice is simple. Never attempt DIY work on gas appliances. Always use a registered Gas Safe engineer, as they are trained to work safely and legally. You should also have your boiler and other gas appliances checked once a year, and it is important to install a carbon monoxide alarm in your home. Our engineers carry alarms on their vans, so feel free to request installation during your appointment.
We do not wish to worry anyone, and the risk of explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning is low. However, the purpose of this guide is to give you clear information so you can keep your home as safe as possible.
Annual Gas Boiler Service
Regular boiler servicing is the most effective way to prevent gas problems. During a service, a qualified engineer will check for leaks, test the ventilation and flue operation, confirm the burner pressure, and inspect seals and safety components. A well-maintained appliance lasts longer, runs more efficiently and helps protect your household.
Beware of Illegal Gas Fitters
It is shocking that studies from Gas Safe have raised concerns over the number of illegal fitters and the number of home owners that didn’t even check for a local Gas Safe engineer. Watchdog have also recently reported on the issues, and if you think these illegal fitters are just in other towns, then think again! Just recently there have been articles in the local newspapers of so called local Gas Safe engineers being fined for illegal work that put home owners at serious risk.
28% of homeowners didn’t even check!
Gas Safe have issued a new press release around illegal gas fitters. Gas Safe recently surveyed 2,000 home owners and of those who have had gas work carried out in the last year, more than 1 in 4 (28 per cent) didn’t even think about checking that the engineer was legal and on the Gas Safe Register. 1 in 6 even went on to admit that they would knowingly employ an illegal gas fitter if they came recommended. This is a worrying statistic as Gas Safe found from their investigations that 9 in 10 illegal gas jobs are not completed to the required standard, and one in five jobs were so dangerous that their investigations officers had to switch the appliance off. Gas Safe are urging consumers to be more diligent when it comes to making sure their gas engineer is registered and qualified to do the work they need.
Our Trusted & Approved Gas Safe Services
We offer a full range of gas and heating services carried out by qualified engineers.
Boiler Servicing: Annual servicing keeps your boiler safe and efficient. We inspect, test and clean all major components.
Gas Certificates: We provide landlord safety certificates and homebuyer gas checks.
Boiler Repairs: If your boiler shows signs of a fault, we can diagnose and repair the issue quickly.
Boiler Replacement: We install efficient, modern boilers and can recommend the best system for your home.
Heating System Upgrades: Our engineers can update outdated systems and improve performance.
Need a Gas Safe Engineer?
If you need a gas appliance serviced or repaired, our qualified gas engineers can help. We support homes in Bucks, Berks, Surrey, South Oxfordshire, West London and Hertfordshire.
Call us or book an appointment online. Your safety comes first.
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01628 533 550
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