We are supporting Gas Safety Week this week to raise awareness about the importance of gas safety in our homes.
As a landlord, we have a legal responsibility to complete a gas safety check once a year for all homes with a gas meter or gas pipework. This helps keep our customers, their families and neighbours safe from gas and carbon monoxide leaks.
In 2022/23, we recorded 5,946 missed gas service appointments. The missed appointments cost the Group around £327,000, that’s the equivalent to installing double glazed windows to 91 properties.
James Haste, Director of Property Maintenance at Gentoo Group said: “We’re proud to be supporting Gas Safety Week this year.
“Our customers safety is paramount to us, and we want to remind customers that our yearly gas checks are completed in your properties so we can ensure the property is safe.”
In 2021 we reached a milestone in gas safety through completing the removal of domestic gas appliances in our 23 high rise tower blocks. The removal of gas and gas appliances significantly improved the safety of the towers which are home to hundreds of our customers. It is predicted customers living in the towers will also benefit from reduced utility bills by using an alternative heat source to gas to heat their homes.
The Group is taking the opportunity this Gas Safety Week to remind people that gas works should only ever be completed by a qualified, Gas Safe registered engineer, and should never be attempted as DIY. Tampering with gas appliances is illegal, extremely dangerous and poses risk to innocent people.
Amid the cost of the living crisis and rising gas prices, concerns are increasing around energy theft and the dangers of tampering with meters in order to save money. Gentoo is providing support to customers concerned about paying their energy bills through its Money Matters Team. Customers can get in touch by calling 0300 123 2004 or emailing moneymatters@gentoogroup.com.
To keep you and your family safe, follow Gas Safe Register’s top tips:
- Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning; headaches, nausea, breathlessness, dizziness, collapse and loss of consciousness.
- Look out for warning signs your appliance may be unsafe, such as a lazy yellow flame instead of a crisp blue flame, error messages or unexpected noises from your boiler or dark and sooty stains around your gas appliance.
- Make sure you leave vents unblocked as these are there to help your appliance work safely and efficiently.
- If you smell gas or think there might be a gas leak, call the free 24-hour national gas emergency number immediately on 0800 111 999.
- If you are a Gentoo customer and your gas safety check appointment is unsuitable, contact us immediately to rearrange.
For more tips on how to stay gas safe, visit www.gassafetyweek.co.uk
