Illegal Gas Workers – Know The Facts

Watch the webchat here   (this webchat was first shown live on 17th September 2009)

Twenty-million households across the country use gas for heating, hot water and cooking, yet we often take it for granted that our boilers, cookers and gas fires are safe. It is only when there is a problem with an appliance that many of us take any notice at all. But, badly installed and poorly maintained gas appliances can be dangerous. So, while the purse strings are tight, many of us may be tempted to get a friend or odd job man to fix the boiler or put in a new gas fire. While they might appear to know what they’re doing or have certain gas ‘qualifications’, you could be putting you and your family at risk by not employing a Gas Safe registered engineer.

It is actually against the law for anyone to do work on gas appliances in Great Britain and Isle of Man unless they are Gas Safe registered. Illegal gas work can lead to a gas leaks, fires, explosions and exposure to carbon monoxide – which can all lead to serious injury or even death.

Our live and interactive webchat with presenter George Clarke of Channel 4’s Home Show and Phill Brewster from Gas Safe Register will show you how to find a Gas Safe registered engineer in your local area and how to avoid becoming a victim of illegal gas work. Joining them is Anne Mitchell, who knows first-hand the importance of using a qualified engineer having lost her daughter to carbon monoxide poisoning in 2005 from a gas fire fitted by an illegal gas worker.

There will also be some top tips on maintaining your gas appliances, what you should expect from your landlord if you live in a rented property and a checklist on how to handle an illegal at your door.

For more information visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/illegals.

Watch the webchat here   (this webchat was first shown live on 17th September 2009)