Elderly ignore free gas safety checks as winter starts to bite

£134 million worth of potentially life-saving gas safety checks offered free by the energy suppliers go unclaimed every year, as a staggering number of people are killed by the effects of cold every winter, according to research carried out for Gas Safe Register, which found that 88% of elderly homeowners have never claimed a free gas safety check. As the winter weather begins to bite and puts increased pressure on our central heating systems, latest official ONS statistics show that 25,700 died from cold-related illnesses last year. Among these are the nine elderly people, who died every hour from cold-related illnesses.
Gas Safe Register is urging people, particularly the elderly, to make sure they take advantage of free gas safety checks if they are eligible and ensure they have well-maintained and safe gas appliances. When a gas boiler, gas fire or heater fails, the average home can quickly drop to 16°C, the temperature at which hypothermia can set in. While younger people feel cold, it’s far more serious for the elderly, whose temperature falls far faster and to dangerous levels when their home temperature falls below 16°C. That’s why the energy companies offer free checks to the most vulnerable.
The UK has the highest winter death rate in Northern Europe, so Gas Safe Register is warning people to make sure their home gas appliances will see them and their loved ones safely through the winter. ONS data shows that the cold can cause or exacerbate illnesses such as high blood pressure, thrombosis or respiratory infections, as it weakens the immune system.
Paul Johnston, Chief Executive of Gas Safe Register says,

“We’re urging everyone to take whatever support they can to keep safe and warm this winter. Having your gas appliances checked annually is vital to ensure that they are running safely. If you don’t get your appliances checked every year, you are risking gas leaks, fires, explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning. Although all appliances need to be checked every year, it’s very important for elderly people, as appliances in their homes tend to be older and not as reliable.”

Top 5 ways of staying warm safely:

1. Get your gas appliances safety checked once a year to make sure they work safely and don’t break down in the cold.
   
2. If you are having your gas appliances checked, always use a Gas Safe registered engineer – it’s the law and will help keep you safe.
   
3. Always use gas appliances responsibly. Never use a gas cooker to heat a room or a house.
   
4. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas produced by badly maintained gas appliances. Look out for danger signs - sooty stains on or around appliances, floppy yellow flames (instead of crisp blue ones) and excessive condensation in a room are all signs that your gas appliances could be producing carbon monoxide.
   
5. If you are over the age of 60 you may be entitled to a free gas safety check. Go to www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/elderly to find out more or ask your energy supplier.

Advise On Installing A Gas Fires

Acquisitions X-Fire 1200

All Gas Fires must be installed and serviced by a GAS SAFE Registered Engineer. The Engineer will survey your property and ensure that all requirements of the Installation Manual are met to ensure your fire is installed correctly and safely. All GAS SAFE Engineers are regularly audited by GAS SAFE to ensure they are working in line with current regulations.

We recommend that all gas fires are serviced every 12 months. This should be done regardless of how often the fire is used. There are number of issues which can effect a fire functioning correctly and safety - blockages in the gas pipes, gas leaks, chimney blockages etc.

It is easy to blame the gas fire when it fails to function however a very large amount of claims are not related to the gas fire. When a gas fire does not operate, the problem can be nothing to do with a fault within the gas fire. Below are some very common causes which will stop a gas fire functioning. Before making any claims please check these site related issues are not causing the problems. This will eliminate costly call out charges.

Drugasar Eclipse Suite

1. Gas Pressure - a common cause of a gas fire shutting down while it is operating is that the gas pressure is not correct. This problem can be more noticeable when switching on other gas appliances within the property like boilers etc. A drop in pressure will mean that the safety device on fire will shut the fire down to protect you. Contact Transco or your gas supplier regarding upgrading your gas pipe work.
2. Chimney Draw Is Too Strong - the draw on the chimney is causing the pilot flame to lift away from the thermocouple making the safety device to shut the fire down - Contact a flue specialist
3. Chimney Draw Is Too Weak - the draw is not strong enough, this could be because the chimney has become blocked, causing the fire to spill hazardous fumes into the room. This is very dangerous. The safety device senses the amount of oxygen in the air and will shut the fire down. - Contact a flue specialist.
4. No Power - A remote control fire needs a power source. If it is powered by a mains supply has the fuse blown or the power switched off? - Contact an electrician. If it is battery powered - check and change the batteries.
5. Incorrect Installation - All gas fires are supplied with an installation manual. This shows how to fit the fire in line with the manufacturer's instructions and the CE approval to ensure it is safe. Ensure you have a copy of the Installation Manual before starting to install a fire. The warranty will be invalid if the fire has been wrongly installed. When a fire is installed by a GAS SAFE Registered Engineer he will issue you a certificate showing the work that has been done and confirming that it is safe.
6. Flueless Fires - Flueless Fires have an excellent safety record. If a Flueless Fire shuts down after running for a number of minutes check all ventilation requirements have been met before operating the fire again. A vast majority of fires have a ODS unit fitted which will shut the fire down if the oxygen levels in the room reach a dangerous level.

REMEMBER - ALWAYS USE A REGISTERED GAS SAFE ENGINEER FOR ALL GAS FIRE INSTALLATION AND SERVICING WORK ASK TO SEE THE ENGINEERS REGISTRATION CARD AND IF IN DOUBT PHONE GAS SAFE.

Find a fantastic selection of Fires, Fireplaces, Stoves and much more from the likes of Fireplace Megastore, Fireworld, Fireplace Supermarket with House2Home Megastore also boasting a growing range of fires.