Can A Gas Safety Certificate Reduce the Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Gas is a necessity and is commonly used in houses for heating and cooking, but if left unchecked, gas leakages can be lethal. Every year almost 60 people die due to Carbon Monoxide poisoning in the UK and Wales.

Carbon Monoxide is an odourless, colourless, and tasteless gas produced due to the incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels. This poisonous gas prevents blood from bringing oxygen to tissues, organs, and cells after entering the body.

Carbon monoxide can be produced by any gas appliance that has not been installed correctly or if there is insufficient ventilation. These appliances include gas heaters, boilers, ovens, wood fires, portable generators, and more.

What Is a Gas Safety Certificate, And How Is It Helpful?

As carbon monoxide is hard to detect, it is necessary to take significant steps to reduce the chances of CO poisoning. One way to keep your home safe is to get a Gas Safety Certificate.

This legal document states that all the gas appliances in the residence are safe. In addition to this, all landlords must obtain this document once every year. Obtaining this certificate is the responsibility of the Landlord only, and it ensures that the house or apartment is safe for the tenants.

This certificate can be obtained after a registered engineer performs a gas safety check. This certificate contains information regarding the safety check. The information includes:

• Address and name of the property owner.
• The engineer's details such as name and registration number.
• Address of the location that is being checked.
• The result of the safety check.
• Any defects found during the safety check.
• The date of the inspection.

Gas explosions can be hazardous. They can take lives and damage property as well. So, it is required by law for commercial and residential landlords to get a gas safety check every year.

A Gas Certificate ensures the property's safety and makes it safe for tenants. Additionally, keeping these documents up to date can save the Landlord from any accusations in case of any gas-related event.

As a landlord, you have several responsibilities when it comes to gas safety. It is necessary to get a gas safety check every year by a registered engineer and save the documentation.

Landlords must also provide the tenants with a copy of the Gas safety Certificate. It is also essential for landlords to maintain the quality of gas appliances, pipelines, and chimneys and ensure that they are serviced regularly.

On the other hand, if you are a tenant, you can always ask your landlord to get a gas safety check every year. However, if the Landlord fails to do so, you can report them to the HSE.

How To Detect Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Yes, a gas-safe certificate can reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning and other gas-related events because your property is checked yearly, so any problems can be detected and solved at once.

However, it is crucial to check for any signs of carbon monoxide poisoning for your safety. So, here are some signs that may indicate a carbon monoxide build-up in a room:

• Signs of discolouration or stains around a gas fire.
• Condensation build-up on windows.
• Yellow or orange flame comes out of an appliance instead of blue.
• The pilot light blows out several times.

In addition to this, several physical symptoms may also indicate CO poisoning. These symptoms can include dizziness, chest pain, headache, nausea, and more.

If you experience any of these signs, you must take immediate action. Switching off the gas appliances and the main gas supply is recommended. Afterward, open all the doors and windows to let the gas out.

Then you should call the National Gas Helpline as soon as possible. It is also recommended to visit your doctor and inform them that you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide.

Safety Precautions

Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer. It is hard to detect as it is colourless, odourless, and tasteless. Moreover, its physical symptoms are also hard to distinguish as they mimic other illnesses such as the flu. So, it is crucial to take necessary safety precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from this poisonous gas.

Installing carbon monoxide alarms is a great way to detect leakage or build-up. However, according to current statistics, only 10% of homes in the UK have carbon monoxide alarms. Ensure a CO alarm is installed in every room with a gas appliance.

Moreover, don't install appliances yourself. Call a professional to install gas appliances as they will do it safely. Also, it is recommended to get appliances serviced and checked every year.

Additionally, flues and chimneys should also be swept by a professional. This can help detect any leak or defect before it gets out of hand. Finally, get your boiler serviced every year, as it is not included in the gas safety check.

Conclusion for Can a Gas Safety Certificate Reduce the Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Carbon monoxide is produced due to the incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels. It is a poisonous gas that can be very harmful and even fatal if inhaled. It can cause health problems like dizziness, chest pains, nausea, and more.

So, it is necessary to take safety precautions against carbon monoxide poisoning and other gas-related events. Gas safety checks are an excellent way of ensuring gas safety in your home. These checks are performed by a registered engineer, after which a gas certificate is provided to the landlord.

Is your home gas safe? Get an inspection today to make sure you are safe from CO poisoning.