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From The Experts at RJ Gas: Gas Safety Tips in the Winter
Cold weather in the winter highlights how much households rely on gas. Natural gas is one of the safest ways to keep us warm, provide hot water and cook meals. Households rely greatly on gas boilers and gas fires in the winter to keep their homes comfortable.
With increased usage during the cold months, there is a potential risk on gas appliances to break down or even leak gas. Following some easy gas safety tips in the winter can help keep our homes safe. Knowing what to do when your heating system fails can save you from freezing before an engineer (read about gas safe registered engineers) gets to your home.
Gas Safety Tips in the Winter
- Get your appliances regularly serviced. Annual service checks on your gas stove, boiler and gas fire (learn more about boiler service) will prepare your appliances for the cold months. Also, gas appliances that are not regularly checked are more likely to emit poisonous gasses such as carbon monoxide that can be fatal.
- Be wary of a gas leak. If you do smell gas, turn off all your gas appliances immediately and open windows to dissipate the smell. If the smell of gas is too strong, leave your home immediately. Call for an engineer – and do this at a safe location, not inside your home.
- Use a gas safe engineer only. The gas safe register is the official list of qualified gas engineers. Engineers are required by law to be on this list to keep consumers safe. Read more about how to check if your engineer is gas safe registered.
- Keep your gas meters clear of snow and ice. You can use a broom or a brush to remove buildup of snow on your gas meter. This will keep it running safely and efficiently. Do not use a shovel or any hard or sharp objects when cleaning. Be careful not to damage your gas meter.
- Keep ice and snow from building up on outdoor appliances. If you have outdoor gas appliances, regularly check them to make sure snow and ice are not building up. Keep the vents clear to ensure proper operation and avoid buildup of toxic gasses.
