Carlisle City Council has pledged its support for Gas Safety Week (16 -22 September 2019).
The council is offering to arrange gas boiler and fire servicing or repairs to gas appliances for owner occupied households that have a person who is disabled (for example in receipt of a disability benefit such as PIP, DLA or attendance allowance) OR receiving a means-tested benefit such as council tax reduction, universal credit or ESA.
Homelife Carlisle, the City Council’s Home Improvement Agency, can offer to fully-funded gas servicing or repairs through a Gas Safe grant up to £500.
Other grants are available for broken boilers for Carlisle residents who either own or privately rent their homes. Residents who do not have gas central heating are also urged to contact the council, as for a limited time only, they are able to offer grants for gas central heating systems and even assist with free connections to the mains gas network.
The council’s private housing team is also reminding landlords of their statutory obligation to ensure all gas appliances have annual gas safety checks.
Landlords should be aware that they are responsible for the safety of their tenants. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 outline the duties of landlords to ensure gas appliances, fittings and chimneys/flues provided for tenants are safe. Further details can be found on www.gassaferegister.co.uk
The ninth annual Gas Safety Week sees organisations from across the UK working together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
This year, Gas Safety Week is addressing a whole range of gas safety matters with a focus on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable – from advice about how to keep vulnerable loved one’s gas safe, to raising awareness of using a registered engineer who is legally qualified, to ensure consumers don’t become vulnerable to illegal gas work though lack of awareness.
Jonathan Samuel, chief executive for Gas Safe Register, said: “It’s great to see so many people supporting Gas Safety Week this year to help spread important and, in some cases, lifesaving advice about gas safety. It’s so vital that we help people to know not to cut corners with gas and always ask a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to work on gas appliances at their home to stay gas safe.”
Keep up-to-date with Gas Safe Register’s updates and advice throughout Gas Safety Week by following @GasSafeRegister on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and search #GSW19.
To keep you and your family safe, follow Gas Safe Register’s top tips:
- Know the symptoms of CO poisoning; headaches, nausea, breathlessness, collapse, dizziness and loss of consciousness.
- 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 who can work on your gas cooker, boiler or fire in a safe way.
- Don’t cut corners – only employ a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer when having gas work carried out in your home.
- 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 www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or by calling on 0800 408 5500 or contact Homelife Carlisle to apply for a Gas Safety grant.
