A "life saving warning" has been issued to anyone looking to buy a home.
Today marked the launch of a gas safety awareness campaign, which has been backed by former Premier League footballer, Dion Dublin. The 53-year-old has built up a property portfolio away from the pitch and he explained why buyers must perform a "simple check" before purchasing a home.
He told the ECHO: "A lot of time when people buy a new house they're so excited about the home that they forget to do the basics. The basics are making sure you get your gas appliances checked.
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"When you go into a new house, you have to find out where your gas valve is. Your on and off gas valve is so important just so you can turn it off if there are any problems."
The former Golden Boot winner has recently relocated to the Wirral alongside his wife, Cheryl. Figures provided by Gas Safe Register estimate one in three homes in Liverpool have potentially dangerous gas appliances.
Dublin urged people to get appliances checked to avoid potentially severe consequences. He said: "There's been a couple of unfortunate explosions recently and I thought it was an apt campaign that people had to sit up and listen to. A lot can go wrong and it's an easy way to get it sorted.
"It's about keeping you safe, the people around you safe, the community safe. That's all it is. It's an important one this because it could save lives."
The former Coventry striker has joined forces with Gas Safe Register for the campaign. Research from the UK’s official registration body for gas engineers and gas businesses found the problem is most commonly found in homes that have changed hands recently.
However, the director of Gas Safe register said all homeowners should be aware of the issue. Bob Kerr said: "We’re urging all Liverpool householders – especially new homeowners and people who are currently in the home buying process, to get clued up on the gas safety basics to be aware of and act on – from being aware of the signs and symptoms of unsafe gas appliances, to always making sure a Gas Safe registered engineer is used for any gas work, including for annual gas safety checks."
The Gas Safe Register's full list of tips for new homeowners
- Prepare : find out where your gas Emergency Control Valve is located, so you can quickly switch the gas supply off in an emergency
- Paperwork : ask the current owners for all records they have about installation, maintenance and safety checks for their household’s gas appliances and gas pipework
- Peace of mind : if they can’t provide a record, or it’s been more than 12 months since the last check, get in touch with a local Gas Safe registered engineer who can carry out a safety check for you
- Play it safe : only Gas Safe registered engineers are experts in gas appliances, flues and pipework. Your homebuyer or structural surveys might not confirm if the gas appliances in your new property are working as they should be – get them checked to be on the safe side
- Pause use : if you’re worried about any gas appliances in a new home, don’t use them until you’ve had them checked out by an expert. Signs something could be wrong include lazy yellow flames, black marks or sooty stains on or around the appliance, increased condensation or intermittent pilot lights
- Perfecting your home : if doing work to a home after you’ve moved in:
- Don’t try to fit, fix or move gas appliances such as boilers, cookers or fires yourself. Use a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Don’t block or cover air vents and flues – your gas appliance will need ventilation to work safely
- Before drilling, hammering or putting screws into a wall or floor, check what’s behind
To find a local Gas Safe registered engineer in your area, visit GasSafeRegister.co.uk
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