All gas boiler breakdown cover work must be completed by Gas Safe-registered engineers. Not only is this a legal requirement, but it is also vital for the public’s health and safety – illegal gas work poses a real danger, with gas leaks and carbon monoxide posing a risk to the health of anyone who is exposed to them.
In fact, in the UK, carbon monoxide is responsible for around 50 deaths every year, with thousands of other people going to hospital because of the gas. Many of the people who are hospitalised as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning suffer from neurological problems caused by brain cell death, and many never make a full recovery from these terrible injuries.
People who illegally perform gas work might be recommended to you by family members and friends, but if they are not on the Gas Safe Register and are not considered to be competent to work on your particular gas appliance, then you must not use them. Regardless of how good a price they offer you, the risks their work poses are unacceptable and could possibly kill you, your family and even your neighbours.
Illegal gas fitters also run the risk of being caught by the Health and Safety Executive and taken to court. In the fortunate event that their gas boiler repairs or other work on gas fittings did not lead to anyone’s injury or death, the gas fitter could find themselves in court facing a sizable fine and see their reputation torn to shreds. Should someone die as a result of illegal gas work, the responsible gas fitter may wind up facing a long prison sentence.
It is understandable that a boiler breakdown is a stressful time. You might not be able to bathe properly, and might not be able to enjoy a warm house. In the midst of winter, this might pose a health hazard – elderly people and people with pre-existing health conditions in particular could lose their lives as a direct result of prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, regardless as to whether they were indoors during this period of poor weather.
Don’t try to scrimp and save by using ‘a man in the pub who seemed to know what he was talking about’ should your boiler break down. Finding out if a particular trader can properly work on your gas appliances is as simple as looking at their ID card and checking their registration number in the Gas Safe Register’s database.
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Ensure you are satisfied with the gas fitter you are using before they turn up on your doorstep – rogue traders may try to pressure or persuade you to use their services should you find they are unregistered and decide to turn them down. Illegal gas fitters are likely to be more interested in their bottom line than in the health and safety of their customers.
And anyone who knocks on your door uninvited and asks to conduct gas appliance repairs may well be a fraudster and a conman. Don’t let anyone into your home unless you know they are trustworthy!
With 247 Home Rescue, you can rest assured that all boiler breakdown cover work will be performed by registered gas fitters.
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