Ensure the safety of your equipment, urges the fire department

The region’s fire service recommends that all consumers have their gas appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe registered technician.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) aims to ensure that residents’ appliances operate safely and efficiently to protect them from the dangers of unsafe products such as fires, leaks, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

HWFRS urges people to follow the advice and pledges its support for the 14th annual Gas Safety Week (9-15 September).

Emma Roberts, prevention manager at HWFRS, said: “I would urge people to definitely get their appliances checked by a Gas Safe engineer.

“This provides important protection against the dangers of unsafe gas appliances, not only fires, leaks and explosions, but also carbon monoxide poisoning.

“It is also important that you do not put your health or mental wellbeing at risk by tackling ‘fuel poverty’ by cutting back on heating, hot water or cooking, or by neglecting necessary repairs or maintenance of gas appliances in order to save money.

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“I would also encourage everyone to keep an eye on elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbours who may be particularly struggling at the moment.”

Look for the signs an unsafe gas appliance may cause, such as a sluggish yellow flame instead of a clear blue flame, soot or stains on or around the appliance, or excessive condensation in the room.

Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO gas is known as the “silent killer” because it has no smell, taste or color. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, collapse and loss of consciousness, which can easily be confused with something else.

Always ask a technician to show their Gas Safe card and check it to ensure the technician is qualified to work on the appliance in question.

Anyone who believes they are entitled to a free home fire safety visit can call the HWFRS Prevention Team on 0800 032 1155.

Visit www.safelincs.co.uk/hfsc/ to carry out a free online fire safety check for your home. For more information visit StayGasSafe.co.uk and GasSafeRegister.co.uk.