Latest Insurance News
Landlords warned of gas dangers
28 Nov 2007
Landlords are to be reminded to ensure gas safety checks are up to date and appliances are maintained at the Landlord Show at the NEC, Birmingham.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will warn landlords attending the show on December 6th between 12:30 and 19:30 GMT that all appliances and heating systems must be checked by an installer registered with the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI).
Following the check, landlords should give their tenants a copy of the safety check.
The risk of not running these periodic checks could even be death, as when gas does not burn property it produces the highly poisonous carbon monoxide.
Over the last decade there have been 247 carbon monoxide poisonings in the midlands alone, with victims unaware of what is happening because early symptoms are as simple as tiredness.
Nick Ratty, head of operations for HSE in the west Midlands region, said: "Carbon monoxide poisoning strikes without warning. You can't see, hear, taste or even smell carbon monoxide.
"Around two thirds of all fatal incidents would probably have been avoided if gas appliances had been serviced by a competent installer in the previous year.
"These gas safety checks only normally cost around GBP50 and are vitally important, allowing faults to be detected long before they pose a risk to the occupier."
