DIYers misjudge the risks with gas

BRITISH home improvers are misjudging the risks involved with gas, warns Gas Safe Register.

One in three people admit they would fit a gas appliance themselves to save money, while 100,000 people who employed a tradesman to carry out gas work in the last year fell victim to illegal and dangerous work.

Many home improvement jobs, which most people may not even think involve gas work, do.

In the right hands gas is safe, but in unskilled and inexperienced hands it can kill.

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As a result, 10 people died in the UK last year and 330 were injured from gas related incidents such as gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning .

Avoid a home improvement disaster with Gas Safe Register's five top tips to stay gas safe:

1. Check if the job involves gas – if you are having any building work carried out, from a new conservatory to kitchen, find out if it involves gas work. Even having new windows fitted can change the ventilation of a property, which may affect the use of gas appliances.

2. Don't DIY with gas – moving, fitting or fixing gas appliances including fires, cookers and boilers is dangerous and should be left to a Gas Safe registered engineer.

3. Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer –when employing a tradesman to carry out work in your home, make sure they are qualified before letting them work with your gas appliances.

4. Locate your gas pipes – finding out where the gas pipes are located will prevent you from hammering or drilling into a gas pipe.

5. Don't block or cover vents and flues – these may be essential for your appliances to work safely and will avoid CO from leaking into your home.

To find a Gas Safe registered engineer in your area visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.