11th – 17th September 2023 is Gas Safety Week.
Co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register, this pan-industry campaign sees experts and organisations coming together for one common goal — keeping the nation gas safe.
As a responsible landlord, we carry out an annual safety inspection of heating appliances within your home by a Gas Safe Registered technician. They will carry appropriate identification, which they should show you before entering your home.
It is important to remember:
- Allowing access for the annual gas safety inspection and service ensures you are safe in your home.
- Annual safety inspections and services need to be completed on all gas, oil, solid fuel, air source heat pump and unvented hot water systems.
- If you receive the service appointment letter and the appointment is not suitable, please call our Customer Contact Team on 01508 532000 to reschedule for a better time for you. This time slot can then be offered to another tenant.
- The safety inspections not only ensure your safety but also that of neighbours and visitors to your home.
- The annual service ensures your appliances are running at the maximum efficiency.
- Running your heating system briefly, once a month, helps reduce the number of breakdown calls when heating systems are turned on at the first spell of cooler weather after the summer.
It is equally important to stay vigilant and understand how to spot and report a problem with your appliances at any time.
- 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.
- Unsafe gas appliances can put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, fires and explosions. Know the six signs of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.
- Keep vents and chimneys clear. Make sure you do not block any vents, as they are vital to ensure gas appliances burn properly, and chimneys need to be cleaned and checked regularly.
- Use gas appliances only for their intended purpose. Do not be tempted to use them for something they were not meant for (e.g. using a gas cooker to heat a room).
- If you smell gas or think there is a leak, you must phone the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 straight away and then notify us with the reference number you have been given.
If you spot a problem, email us at info@saffronhousing.co.uk or call 01508 532000.
You can find more information on our Health & Safety page by clicking here.
Visit the Gas Safety Week website for more tips and useful information by clicking here.