FREE Gas Safety Check

Family Housing Association carries out FREE gas safety checks in all its properties every year to make sure that there are no Carbon Monoxide leaks from boilers.

BY LAW, every gas boiler in any one of our properties has to be checked by a CORGI registered engineer at least once a year.

You MUST allow gas service engineers working for Family Housing into your home to service the gas boiler.

What is Carbon Monoxide?

It is a commonly found, insidious and deadly poisonous gas, produced when fossil fuels such as gas, oil and solid fuel appliances are in operation. Greater amounts are produced if there is inadequate ventilation/oxygen for the appliance to use, or if the appliance is not working properly.

It has no colour
It has no smell
It has no taste
It is silent, invisible and deadly
If you breathe it in, it stops the blood taking up vital oxygen needed to keep you alive.

When are you at risk?

You are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if:

Equipment is not working properly due to incomplete combustion
There is not enough fresh air in the room
A chimney or flue gets blocked up and carbon monoxide enters your living area

What are the Danger Signs?

If you feel drowsy, have a slight headache, feel dizzy when you stand up, nauseous/ vomiting or have a pain in your chest then you could be suffering from the early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning.

These are just some of the symptoms. You could also feel tired, have palpitations, or diarrhoea and stomach pains.

Carbon Monoxide can cause death or permanent injury to oxygen rich tissue, such as the brain or heart. Continuous exposure to even relatively low levels of Carbon Monoxide can lead to significant health effects.

Carbon Monoxide poisoning is often confused with flu or cold symptoms or the effect of modern living.

If you have any of these symptoms, turn off your appliance and seek medical advice.

Where are the Potential Carbon Monoxide Sources in the Home?

Boiler
Gas Water Heater
Gas Oven/Hob - Cooker
Fireplace (wood, coal or gas)
Warming up a car on a cold morning in an attached garage
Barbeque - charcoal/gas
Gas heater - Space Heater

Please contact us if you require more information