My Daily Nourishment

Central heating is crucial to keeping your house warm and free of bugs and mould, even more so in the winter months. However without regular checks and maintenance, your gas system could be extremely dangerous.

Gas is provided as a means of energy mainly for heating and cooking, and as such, the appliances should be checked regularly for signs of wear and tear. Poorly maintained appliances can be lethal, not just because of the potential for fires in the home, but also because the gas itself can be harmful to breathe in the long-term.

Regular checks do not have to be lengthy and stressful, and can put your mind at ease, to ensure that your appliances are in good working order and your home is safe. Whenever you have a new appliance or boiler fitted, make sure your technician is Gas Safe registered, as they will have the expertise to ensure that the appliance passes all health and safety checks and is properly fitted upon installation.

All engineers are legally required to carry their Gas Safe Register ID on their person, so just ask if you are unsure. There are a few crucial things to check on the Gas Safe Register ID, to ensure that your engineer is legally qualified to check appliances;

– The photo matches the person carrying it
– The Valid From date and Expires date are applicable (check that it has not expired)
– The individual license number at the top and the centre of the card match each other.
-The Gas security hologram is present towards the bottom right hand side of the card.
– The individual is from the business you employed (this is crucial due to the recent rise in Cowboy Traders)
– The list of skills and qualifications on the back of the card is up to date, and in accordance to the type of work they are supposed to be carrying out for you.

Investing in a Carbon Monoxide alarm can also ease your worries. Odourless and colourless, Carbon Monoxide is an incredibly harmful gas which is extremely hard to detect. Carbon Monoxide poisoning can also cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, stomach pain and feelings of tiredness. Installing a Carbon Monoxide alarm will ensure that you are immediately alerted of a possible leak within your home.

If you are alerted to a Carbon Monoxide leak in your house, or you have suspicions of an appliance not working as it should, you should call the 0800 111 999 gas emergency services.

Make sure to only use your gas appliances for their intended purpose – don’t use a cooker to heat a house for example – and ensure that they are in a well ventilated area so that they burn correctly

How often should appliances be checked? Annually at least, by a registered Gas Safe engineer, or as set out by the manufacturer’s guidelines. Getting insurance on all your appliances is frequently recommended by engineers, and also provides a safety net for homeowners and landlords in case anything goes wrong.