Gas Safety in the Home

The law

Any work on a gas appliance — boiler, fire, cooker, hob — must be carried out by an engineer on the Gas Safe Register. Ask to see their ID card and check the back for which appliances they are qualified to work on. Using an unregistered worker is illegal and dangerous.

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas produced by faulty or poorly ventilated gas, oil, coal or wood appliances. Symptoms of poisoning mimic flu or a hangover: headache, dizziness, nausea, tiredness. Fit an audible CO alarm (to EN 50291) in every room with a gas appliance and test it. If the alarm sounds or you suspect CO, turn off the appliance, open windows, leave the room and call the Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

• •Fit an audible CO alarm in each room with a gas appliance.
• •Have boilers and fires serviced annually by a Gas Safe engineer.
• •Never block vents or flues — appliances need air to burn safely.
• •Get a boiler service to keep the manufacturer warranty valid.

If you rent

Landlords must have a gas safety check every 12 months and give tenants a copy of the certificate (CP12) within 28 days. They must also fit a smoke alarm on each floor and a CO alarm in any room with a solid fuel appliance. If yours has not done this, contact your local council's housing team.