The north of England’s gas distributor, Northern Gas Networks is pleased to be supporting Gas Safety Week 2014 (15 – 21 September) – a national safety campaign to raise awareness about gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances.

23 million households in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Guernsey use gas for heating, hot water and cooking, yet we often take it for granted that our boilers, cookers and gas fires are safe. Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Northern Gas Networks works hard to spread the word about gas safety, and deliver potentially lifesaving messages to members of the public.

Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy, Northern Gas Networks, said: “Here at Northern Gas Networks our core business is to provide a safe and reliable gas distribution service to the 2.7 million homes and businesses who rely on us every day, but we are also well placed to spread the word about gas safety across the region.”

Over the past 12 months, Northern Gas Networks has played an important part in helping the region stay gas safe by:

• Rolling out hi-tech handheld detection units to all emergency engineers, which not only detect levels of gas (methane) in the air, but also CO.
• Promoting an educational mobile phone app, called iCOP to 18-24 year olds living in rented accommodation. The app uses an engaging, film noir style detective game to highlight the dangers of CO.
• Launching an education programme aimed at Key Stage 3 pupils to promote CO awareness.
• Delivering CO safety briefing in hundreds of customers’ homes, following emergency call-outs.

You too can support Gas Safety Week and help keep yourself, your friends and family safe by reading and sharing the following gas safety tips:

• Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix and service gas appliances in your home – it’s the law and will help keep you safe.
• Always ask to see an engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card and check the back of the card to ensure they are qualified to carry out the specific type of gas work you need.
• Find a Gas Safe registered engineer in your area or call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500.
• Have all your gas appliances, including boilers, gas cookers and gas fires, safety checked every year.
  
• Unsafe gas appliances can put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, fires and explosions, Recognise the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness.
• Check gas appliances for 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.
• Buy an audible carbon monoxide alarm for your home and make sure it is located near to your gas appliances in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance. Carbon monoxide can leak from appliances and kill.
• Only use gas appliances for their intended purpose e.g. don’t use a gas oven to heat a room or use a gas barbeque inside the house.
• Always ensure there is enough ventilation for your gas appliances to allow them to burn correctly and make sure you are not blocking any air vents that provide an air supply to the gas appliance.
• Anybody working with gas has to be Gas Safe registered by law. Report someone working without registration or call Gas Safe Register on the free phone number 0800 408 5500.

For further information about Gas Safety Week and events taking place in your area, visit: www.gassaferegister.co.uk

If you smell gas or suspect Carbon Monoxide in your home, please call the National Gas Emergency number 0800 111 999 any time day or night.

Students from Huddersfield Uni play the Northern Gas Networks iCop app.