Stay Safe this Gas Safety Week

Gas Safe Register, the official list of registered gas engineers, is running the second annual Gas Safety Week from today until 16th September. The week aims to raise awareness of gas safety in the home.

Paul Johnston, chief executive at Gas Safe Register said: "Every year, far too many people suffer from preventable gas related accidents, such as gas leaks, explosions, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. In the last year alone 18 people died and a further 399 were hospitalised. With Gas Safety Week we want to encourage the public to only use Gas Safe registered engineers to fit, fix and service their gas appliances and to raise awareness of the importance of having an annual gas safety check.

"If maintained and installed properly, gas appliances are safe. If neglected, gas appliances can kilI. In Gas Safety Week we want everyone to find out when they last had all of their gas appliances, including cookers, fires and boilers, checked. If this was over a year ago, you should get them checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer as soon as possible to help ensure your family and home are safe."

Doug Anthoney, Age Scotland Communication and Campaigns Officer, said: "Gas Safety Week gives us the opportunity to put gas safety at the top of everyone's priority list. Making sure your gas appliances are safe to use could save your life. Alongside Gas Safe Register we want people to understand the real risks unsafe gas work poses and help people to stay gas safe."

Free drop in Gas Safety events will be held at B&Q, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen, AB10 7AY (Thursday 10pm to 2pm) and at Homebase, Central Retail Park, Falkirk FK1 1LW (Saturday 10pm to 2pm.)  For more information on gas safety go to www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk.