Raising awareness of Gas Safety Week

A Tameside letting agent is helping to promote the importance of gas safety to tenants and landlords across the borough during Gas Safety Week.

Abode Property Management, a letting agent based in Hyde, has pledged its support for Gas Safety Week this week to raise awareness about the importance of gas safety to homeowners, tenants and landlords.

The ninth annual Gas Safety Week sees organisations from across the UK working together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

This year, Gas Safety Week is addressing a whole range of gas safety matters, with a focus on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable - from advice about how to keep vulnerable loved ones gas safe, to raising awareness of using a registered engineer who is legally qualified, to ensure consumers don’t become vulnerable to illegal gas work though lack of awareness.

Tracy Wardle, Sales and Marketing Director at Abode, said: "One of the biggest components of our job in lettings is to ensure the safety of Tameside tenants and landlords within their properties. 

"Gas safety is of huge importance. In some instances, people don't know the signs and symptoms of faulty gas appliances and carbon monoxide poisoning. Because of this, we are supporting Gas Safety Week in order to alert the people of Tameside of the seriousness of unsafe gas appliances and how they can keep themselves and their families safe." 

Denton and Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne has also put his support behind the campaign. 

He said: “It’s crucial for everyone’s health and safety that they have regular gas safety checks and install carbon monoxide detectors.

“There are potentially tragic consequences for people not taking gas safety seriously and I would encourage all of my constituents to think carefully about this issue and take action if necessary.”

Jonathan Samuel, chief executive for Gas Safe Register, said: "It’s great to see so many people supporting Gas Safety Week this year to help spread important and, in some cases, lifesaving advice about gas safety. It’s so vital that we help people to know not to cut corners with gas and always ask a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to work on gas appliances at their home to stay gas safe." 

Gas Safe Register - the official register for legally qualified engineers - has issued the following tips to help keep you and your family safe: 

· Know the symptoms of CO poisoning; headaches, nausea, breathlessness, collapse, dizziness and loss of consciousness.

· If you smell gas or think there might be a gas leak, call the free 24-hour national gas emergency number immediately on 0800 111 999.

· Never attempt to work on a gas appliance yourself, always seek the help of a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer who can work on your gas cooker, boiler or fire in a safe way.

· Don’t cut corners - only employ a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer when having gas work carried out in your home.

· Always ask to see your engineer’s Gas Safe ID card. Make sure you check the back of the card, which will state which gas appliances they are qualified to work on.

You can find a registered engineer in your area by visiting the Gas Safe Register website at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or by calling on 0800 408 5500.