Volume 53 | Issue 6 | June 2015
Gas Safe issues reminder about CO risks in summer As the warm weather approaches and people begin to switch off their heating, Gas Safe Register is highlighting the need to be vigilant against gas appliances which can still pose a risk to safety. Gas Safe Register is looking to alert the public of the continuing dangers of using gas appliances during the summer with its latest report which reveals that every day last summer an average of 189 homes faced a dangerous gas emergency. Between May and September 2014, gas emergency service provider National Grid was called out to 30,000 dangerous incidents, including gas leaks, fires, minor explosions and over 9500 cases related to carbon monoxide poisoning. Supporting the report is a survey of gas consumers, which found that one in five homeowners (19%) said they do not use gas boilers at all during the summer, though they admitted that they are still using hot water and are cooking on gas appliances. With their boilers off, most consumers are not worried about gas safety – only 6% said they would consider CO poisoning a summer health risk. The research also revealed that a third of people say they use a gas barbecue on a weekly basis during the summer, further exposing themselves to a range of potential gas dangers.
Gas Safe has teamed up with NHS Choices, the information website for the NHS, to highlight the dangers posed by poorly maintained gas appliances and barbecues during the summer and to encourage people to recognise the symptoms of CO poisoning. A new safety advice video will also feature on the website. Jonathan Samuel, Gas Safe's recently appointed MD, says: “It is worrying that so many people are unaware they are still using gas appliances in the summer
Tradespeople going beyond call of duty A survey of 500 tradespeople has revealed that many go above and beyond the call of duty when they carry out services for customers in their homes. Commissioned by Origin, a manufacturer of doors, windows and blinds, the research shows that the majority (90%) have performed small tasks that were not in their original remit. Almost a quarter said they have taken a customer to hospital when they’ve had an accident, while one in five have given first aid to a customer, and one in 12 have taken a pregnant customer to the hospital when she's gone into labour. Three quarters have taken time out of
their busy schedules to spend one-to-one time with customers they think might be lonely or in need of some company, with one tradesman saying he has even cooked Christmas dinner for a customer before. Other findings reveal that 40% help out with DIY that is not part of the job they are doing, and the same number help customers by carrying shopping and heavy items for them, while one in ten have taken dogs for walks. A quarter have helped customers use their phone or computer and even helped assemble furniture. One in ten has helped fix a broken down car or change a tyre. It’s not just in the home that many help
Some merchants never run out of excuses.
Win a limited edition Makita tools pack! See page 58
and are therefore exposed to the dangers. With carbon monoxide causing six serious injuries a week, it is vital that the public are aware of the warning signs of faulty gas appliances and recognise the symptoms of CO poisoning. The only way to keep your family and homes safe is to make sure you have an annual safety check by a registered engineer and don’t put it off until winter.” With the Gas Safe report in mind, Lewis Howard, Director of Stevenage based C&J Heating, is calling for more attention to be placed on gas barbecues and patio heaters too, which continue to be a health and safety risk in both commercial and domestic settings. “In the heating industry it is common knowledge that CO poisoning and gas safety issues continue during the summer. This knowledge does not seem to have been filtered to the average UK home. Now the summer has arrived, I urge people to undertake an annual service and safety inspection on both their gas barbecue and patio heaters.” For more news about gas safety, turn to page 53 to see this month's feature.
out, with a quarter saying that they have taken letters and parcels to the post office, and one in five have popped to the shop for customers and a similar number running other errands. The study also revealed that two thirds of tradesmen have observed an argument whilst at a customer’s house, and around one in five claim to have witnessed a ‘spooky event’. One in three have come across old or dangerous work when carrying out a job and fixed it without mentioning it to the customer. Have you gone that extra mile? We'd love to hear about your good news story – please email the Editor at editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk.
Join the team Installers are in with a chance of winning VIP hospitality tickets to the Rugby World Cup final thanks to Adey Professional Heating Solutions. Between now and the end of September, be on the lookout for one of five golden tokens tucked under the caps of MC1+ Protector or MC3+ Cleaner bottles to win. Each token gives the lucky finder two VIP hospitality tickets to the final, semi-finals or quarter-finals. There is also a monthly prize draw for World Cup merchandise and Adey products. Visit www.adey.com/rwcpromotion for more information and to register.
Some merchants never run out. The Graham Pledge means that we’re so confident in our Always Available range*, that if it’s out of stock we’ll give you a £10 voucher for your inconvenience. Visit grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk for more information. *Terms and conditions apply.
ENQUIRY
1.indd 1
301
02/06/2015 14:03