Propertymark, together with Gas Safe Register, has produced top tips to be passed by agents to landlords and tenants as part of this week’s Gas Safety Week initiative.   

This year, Gas Safety Week focuses on celebrating the breadth and diversity of gas engineers and the essential role they play in keeping the nation gas safe. As well as reminding the public, about gas safety and tips to ensure they stay safe, including not attempting DIY on gas appliances and being aware of the warning signs of unsafe appliances.

Propertymark chief executive Nathan Emerson says: “We are again proudly supporting Gas Safety Weeks this year to spread awareness and provide crucial life-saving tips for agents to share farther and wider.

“We hope that agents use this time especially to clue themselves up and play their part in limiting the potentially devastating impact that unsafe appliances can have.”

And Gas Safe Register chief executive Jonathan Samuel adds: “We’re delighted to see so much support for Gas Safety Week 2023 – now in its thirteenth year. This year we are celebrating the breadth and diversity of gas engineers, their skills, and experiences, which help to keep the nation gas safe all year round. And we’re reminding the public of the importance of always using a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to fix, fit or service gas appliances”.

Here are the top tips:

– Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning; headaches, nausea, breathlessness, dizziness, collapse and loss of consciousness;

– Look out for warning signs your appliance may be unsafe, such as a lazy yellow flame instead of a crisp blue flame, error messages or unexpected noises from your boiler or dark and sooty stains around your gas appliance;

– Make sure you leave vents unblocked as these are there to help your appliance work safely and efficiently;

– 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;

– If you’re having your annual safety check, only employ a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to carry it out;

– 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.

Gas Safe Register is the official register for legally qualified engineers. You can find a registered engineer in your area by visiting the Gas Safe Register website at GasSafeRegister.co.uk.