Engineer standing near a boiler
Last updated on: 27 August 2024

Our boiler breakdown cover experts’ top ten gas safety recommendations

Gas appliances have added a lot to our lives, allowing us to enjoy warm homes, warm water and lower energy bills. There’s no reason to worry about your gas boiler and other appliances if you use a few simple safety measures.

Top 10 Gas Safety Rules

  • Check the ID card of any engineer that comes to work on your gas appliances. Look at the photo, the start date, the expiry date, the license number, the security hologram and the details of the business the engineer works for. Then look at the back to make sure the engineer is safe to operate on your particular gas appliances and that they are fully qualified. All engineers working on behalf of 24|7 Home Rescue are Gas Safe-registered.
  • Learn the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and remember them. Take immediate action if you believe you or someone else is suffering from CO poisoning – leave the building and call the emergency services.
  • Never block any flues or air vents and ensure that the gases expelled from boilers cannot re-enter your property.
  • Look out for any signs that gas appliances may not be working properly, such as soot, discolouration, yellow flames, flickering flames and condensation. Take immediate action and arrange gas appliance repairs when you notice any of these problems.
  • Never use any fuel-burning appliances in ways they were not designed to be used – don’t use a barbecue indoors, don’t use an oven to warm up the house, and don’t dry your clothes by hanging them over the boiler.
  • Invest in carbon monoxide alarms and devices that shut off gas boilers when carbon monoxide is detected. Put your carbon monoxide alarms in any room that contains a gas appliance. Remember that CO alarms are not an alternative to gas appliance servicing or other recommended gas safety measures.
  • If you feel like a gas appliance is breaking down or requires repairs, shut it off and stop using it until the repairs have been completed.
  • Call the National Grid on 0800 111 999 if you smell gas.
  • Report anyone who performs gas work without the proper competencies and accreditation to the Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500.

Do you have any top gas safety tips? Let our boiler breakdown cover experts hear your advice in the comments.

Boiler trouble?

Don’t attempt to touch any part of your boiler or central heating system if you’re unsure. Did you know? It’s illegal for anyone to use a gas appliance if they think it’s unsafe. It’s always better to be safe than sorry as you could make things worse.

Instead, call us on 0345 3192 247 and we can help. Our technical team will run through some simple troubleshooting to see if your problem can be resolved on the phone or they can book one of our friendly and knowledgeable Gas Safe registered engineers to get you back up and running as soon as possible.

Posted by: Martin Astley 16 April 2014