5 Gas Safety Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
Today, we're talking gas safety - boring I know. But it's actually a very important part of homeownership. It keeps you, your family and your property safe. It also ensures your boiler is working as it should, in a way that's efficient and safe all round. But where do you start when it comes to gas safety? Let me help you out.
1. Have your boiler serviced every year
A boiler service is paramount, regardless of its age or the guarantee that comes with it. Our boiler is only three years old, but even when its 10-year warranty is up, I will still continue to have it serviced by a Gas Safe-registered professional.
It makes sure your boiler is running efficiently but it also checks every other gas element there is throughout your home, giving you advice along the way. It makes sure your boiler is safe to run and if any repairs need to be carried out for your safety also. Either way, having a boiler service is one of the best possible ways to be gas safe at home.
2. Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning
The first thing to say here is that you should have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in your home. If, for whatever reason, you do not, then you must know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Even if you DO have a carbon monoxide alarm, it's still important that you know the symptoms to look out for. So how can you notice signs of carbon monoxide poisoning? The symptoms include:
- Feeling dizzy
- Having a headache
- Becoming weak
- Feelings of nausea
- Vomiting
- Experiencing chest pains
- Becoming disorientated
- Losing consciousness
If you notice any of these signs, either in yourself or someone you live with, then you should go straight outside into the fresh air and call the emergency services so as to receive medical attention. The carbon monoxide leak should also be reported to the Gas Emergency Helpline so that any problems can be dealt with.
3. Have a carbon monoxide alarm installed & check them regularly
Your first line of defence against carbon monoxide poisoning is to have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in your property. It's not good enough to simply buy it, install it and then leave it to do its job for years on end. Your carbon monoxide alarm needs to be tested every four weeks, just like your smoke detectors.
4. Only use Gas Safe-registered professionals
When having gas work done, whether it be having new radiators fitted, a new boiler installed or a gas cooker hooked up, you need to make sure that the person you're dealing with is Gas Safe-registered. Check the Gas Safe register today before having any work done on your property, no matter how simple it might seem.
5. Ensure adequate ventilation at all times
These days, you can have trickle vents installed in your windows and doors. You can also put the windows on the vent setting, which means closing them, but not tightly. Your property should also have air bricks so as to ensure adequate ventilation.
This is important in the kitchen especially, where gas-lit cookers and ovens are most likely to be located. A kitchen is also where your boiler is most likely to be. When cooking, having windows open or vented and make sure air bricks are visible and not blocked up.
***
I hope you enjoyed this blog post and that you've found it useful? Let me know in the comments below how you like to be gas-safe in your home and I'll see you again very soon with some brand new content!
***
WHERE TO FIND ME
PREVIOUS BLOG POST
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Comments
Post a Comment