Fixing your faulty appliances yourself can save you lots of money and keeping appliances running for longer helps the environment too. However, there’s one type of appliance you should never try to fix yourself: a gas appliance. The dangers involved with faulty gas appliances mean they should only ever be worked on by qualified and registered gas engineers.

As this week is Gas Safety Week we’ve put together the crucial facts you need to know to keep you and your family safe around your gas appliances.

The Dangers of Gas Appliances

Any gas appliance including fires, cookers, water heaters or boilers, as well as gas piping, has the potential to be very dangerous to health if not properly installed and maintained.

Unsafe gas appliances can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which causes hangover or flu-like symptoms. If you’re suffering from headaches, feeling sick, short of breath, dizzy or passing out these symptoms could be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning .

Carbon monoxide doesn’t have a smell which is part of what makes it so dangerous. Aside from physical symptoms other warning signs that your gas appliance could be emitting this harmful gas include a yellow or orange rather than a blue flame when your appliance is running, more condensation than usual on windowpanes and dark marks on or around the appliance.

Older people are less likely to be aware of the dangers of faulty gas appliances so it’s worth speaking to older relatives and making sure there are working carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.

How to Keep Gas Appliances Safe

Gas appliances should be checked annually or as soon as you think there may be a problem (especially in the case of a potential gas or carbon monoxide leak). Gas does have a smell and if it’s leaking in your home it can cause a fire or even an explosion.

If you rent a house or flat with inbuilt gas appliances, your landlord has an obligation to provide a Gas Safety Record each year so you have peace of mind that they’re safe.

When you’re moving house you’ll also need to supply a Gas Safety Record for your home and be sure to check the house you’re moving into has one too.

Never cover the ventilation grilles or chimneys of gas appliances and ensure gas flues are always clear of debris.

A carbon monoxide detector could save your life. Every home with gas appliances should have one installed in addition to a smoke alarm. If you need a carbon monoxide detector you can choose from a number of different models in our home safety range.

How to Get Gas Appliances Fixed

Never attempt to fix your gas appliances yourself. Instead contact a qualified engineer. You can check the business or engineer you’re considering hiring is qualified to work with gas via the Gas Safe Register and you can also use this site to find registered gas engineers in your area.

Always check both sides of the ID card of any gas engineer who comes to your home to confirm that they’re on the Gas Safe Register and qualified to work on your type of appliance.

Unsafe gas appliances can be deadly so the information above could save your life! Be sure to pass on this knowledge to anyone you know who’s been having gas appliance issues or who may not know about the dangers of poorly repaired or maintained gas appliances.

Tags: Appliance Advice, Gas Safety