Gas Safety Week 2024: Helping everyone stay gas safe
We’re proud to be supporting Gas Safety Week 2024, taking place 9 - 15 September.
Gas Safety Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. It’s coordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official gas registration body for the UK. It’s important that you report any issues with your gas appliances immediately so we can keep you safe. All our engineers are Gas Safe registered. Anyone working for CHP will present ID when they arrive for your appointment. If you’re unsure that the person at your door is from or working on behalf of CHP, please call us on 0300 555 0500 and someone will be able to confirm the appointment.
Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is a highly poisonous gas that can kill quickly and without warning, as you can’t see it, taste it, or smell it.
By taking care of your gas appliances properly and spotting the warning signs of an unsafe appliance, you’re taking care of your home and your loved ones. Follow these few simple steps to keep you and your family safe.
- Check for warning signs that could indicate your (or someone else's) gas appliances are not working correctly. Signs may include lazy yellow / orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance, a pilot light that keeps going out or too much condensation in the room.
- Avoid blocking vents during cold spells. Vents are there to make sure your gas appliances work safely. Blocking them could prevent this.
- Never DIY on a gas appliance. If you suspect there’s something wrong with your appliance or it’s not working correctly, please call us on 0300 555 0500.
- Allow us access to your home for safety checks. If you rent your home from us, we’re legally required to service all gas heating and hot water systems in your home every year. It’s essential that you allow us into your property to service your gas appliances. This is for you and your family’s safety. You’ll be given plenty of notice of the appointment, so please let us know if you need to rearrange. You’ll be able to see when your boiler service is due by logging into your account on our website.
- Know the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse, and loss of consciousness.
- If you ever experience these symptoms, open all windows and call the National Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999 and us on 0300 555 0500. You can familiarise yourself with the emergency procedure here.
- Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm and make sure your friends and relatives have one too. Check they’re marked EN50291 and display the British Standards’ Kitemark.
- Look out for your local community. You may have a friend, relative or neighbour who is unaware of what they need to do to keep safe. Help them stay safe by making sure that they have their appliances checked and serviced regularly if they’re able to do so.
For gas safety advice visit the Gas Safe Register website at GasSafeRegister.co.uk. Alternatively call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500.