Council is supporting Gas Safety Week.Southport residents urged to get a check of their appliances

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Sefton Council are proud to be supporting Gas Safety Week, which runs from 13 – 19 September 2021, to help raise awareness about the importance of gas safety.

For the 11th year of Gas Safety Week, organisations from across the UK are 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.

Cllr Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said: “Gas Safety Week is an annual initiative the Council is pleased to support. It gives us all the opportunity to raise the awareness and importance of taking care of gas appliances. As we approach winter and we start to use gas appliances more, now is the perfect time to get appliances checked and ensure they are safe.

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 share important and, in some cases, lifesaving advice about gas safety. The last year or so has taught us the vital importance of helping and supporting those in our communities. Ensuring people always use a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to work on gas appliances in their homes is a great way to show how we can work together to stay gas safe.”

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.

If you are struggling and need support, please contact Sefton Council’s Affordable Warmth Team on 0151 934 2222.

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.

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 #GSW21 and #GasSafetyWeek.