Choice are supporting Gas Safety Week 2023

Choice are proud to be supporting Gas Safety Week 2023, taking place 11 - 17 September.

Gas Safety Week is an annual safety week to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. It is coordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas.  

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 cannot see it, taste it, or smell it. By taking care of gas appliances properly and spotting the warning signs of an unsafe appliance you are 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 others) gas appliances are not working correctly. Signs may include lazy yellow /orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, error messages or unexpected noises from your boiler or dark and sooty stains around your gas appliance.
• Avoid blocking vents during cold spells. Vents are there to ensure your gas appliances work safely. Blocking them could prevent this.
• Never DIY on a gas appliance. If you suspect there is something wrong with your own appliance or it is not working correctly, call a Gas Safe registered engineer. You can find one at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500. If you suspect that there is something wrong with a Choice owned appliance such as a gas boiler, call us on 0300 111 2211.
• Know the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse, and loss of consciousness.
• Test the carbon monoxide alarm provided and make sure your friends and relatives have one too. Do not cover or remove it.
• Make sure you have your annual safety check. Gas appliances, provided by Choice, must be serviced and safety checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Choice arrange an annual gas safety check and service for our tenants with gas heating. The annual service helps to ensure that your boiler is operating effectively making sure tenants, their families, visitors, and neighbours are safe. Well maintained boilers operate more efficiently thereby saving money too! Please ensure you co-operate with our contractors when they contact you to arrange the annual service.

• Make sure you have your annual safety check of your own gas appliances, by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

• Check your engineer is qualified for the type of gas work you need doing g., natural gas, domestic boiler. You can find this information on the back of their Gas Safe ID card and on the Gas Safe Register website.

For gas safety advice and to find or check an engineer visit the Gas Safe Register website at GasSafeRegister.co.uk. Alternatively call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500.

Follow Choice on Twitter and Facebook @Choice_Housing for further information on Gas Safety Week #GSW23