Staying gas safe

This week is Gas Safety Week, which aims to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances both at home and at work.

Gas Safety Week is co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas. At Royal Mail we have Property & Facilities Solutions Ltd engineers who are trained and registered to complete this work for us.

Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, and highly poisonous gas produced by the incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal. Carbon-based fuels are safe to use. It is only when the fuel does not burn properly that excess CO is produced, which is poisonous.

Every year, thousands of people across the UK are diagnosed with CO poisoning and according to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), around seven people die as a result of CO poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed, maintained or that are poorly ventilated.  

Gas Safety Week aims to promote six top tips to stay safe:

• For any Gas Safety issues identified at Royal Mail you must contact the P&FS Helpdesk on 0844 800 9191. Only Gas Safe registered engineers should be used to fit, fix and service your appliances. You can find and check an engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or by calling 0800 408 5500
• Check both sides of your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card. Make sure they are qualified for the work you need doing. You can find this information on the back of the card
• Have all your gas appliances regularly serviced and safety checked each year. If you rent your home ask for a copy of the landlord’s current Gas Safety record
• Know the six signs of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness
• Check gas appliances for any warning signs that they are not working properly e.g. lazy yellow flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks or stains on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room
• Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm which will alert you if there is carbon monoxide present in your home.