A third of Brits can't recognise the signs of an unsafe gas appliance

This Gas Safety Week (17-23 September) Gas Safe Register will be raising awareness about the dangers of unsafe gas appliances, with the support of the industry.

The potential warning signs that could indicate a gas appliance is unsafe were recognised by some people as; a lazy yellow flame (33%), the pilot light keeps going out (32%), black marks or stains on or around the appliances (29%) and increased condensation inside windows (12%).

One in six adults (17%) also admitted that they take no steps at all to ensure their home’s gas appliances are safe. Nearly half (47%) said they have their gas appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer, two in five (38%) have an audible carbon monoxide alarm and one in three (29%) know to check that their gas engineer is on the Gas Safe Register.

The latest available statistics by awareness campaign group Project SHOUT say poisoning by carbon monoxide, which is odourless and colourless,causes around 50 deaths each year in the UK.

Industry body Gas Safe Register warns against checking or working on gas appliances yourself or using an illegal gas fitter. Currently only a fifth of people check an engineer’s ID card on arrival at their home.