Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the North of England’s gas distributor, is pleased to be supporting Gas Safety Week next week (18 to 24 September) – a national safety campaign to raise awareness about gas safety and the importance of taking care of gas appliances.

The seventh annual Gas Safety Week, organised by the Gas Safety Register, sees organisations from across the UK working together to encourage all gas consumers to make sure they have their gas appliances are checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer and protect against the dangers of unsafe gas appliances, such as fires, leaks, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Tom Bell, Northern Gas Networks Head of Social Strategy, said: “I am delighted that Northern Gas Networks is supporting Gas Safety Week, which runs from 18 to 24 September, to remind people about the dangers of CO poisoning.

“CO is a poisonous, colourless and odourless gas that can cause serious harm to health including brain damage, paralysis or even result in death so it is really important to have an alarm fitted and to notice the warning signs.”

In 2016, 424 suspected CO emergencies were reported to NGN. Of which, 38 were confirmed escapes that resulted in an appropriate course of action.

Jonathan Samuel, managing director for Gas Safe Register, said: “It’s great to have the support of Northern Gas Networks this Gas Safety Week. By working together we can reach more people and help to reduce the number of dangerous gas appliances that could be lurking in the homes of the UK’s 23 million gas consumers.”

Anyone can also support national Gas Safety Week and help keep themselves, as well as their family and friends, safe by following these safety tips:

• Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix and service gas appliances
• 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
• Find a Gas Safe registered engineer in your area by calling 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 (CO) poisoning, gas leaks, fires and explosions
• Recognise the symptoms of CO 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 a CO alarm for your home and make sure it is located near to your gas appliances in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance
• 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 or a tent
• 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
• Anybody working with gas has to be Gas Safe registered by law. Report someone working without registration or call Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500

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

Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.