Ongo is supporting Gas Safety Week 2024

Ongo has pledged its support for Gas Safety Week (9^th-15^th September 2024) and will be taking part in a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of gas safety.

The week is to remind the public how to keep themselves gas safe, and organisations across the nation are working together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained appliances, which can cause leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

This year for Gas Safety Week, the theme is ‘Checking—Every Check Counts’, emphasising the importance of, amongst other things, regular safety checks.

As a landlord, by law, Ongo must make sure their homes have a Gas Safety Certificate and that provided appliances (such as boilers) are serviced at least every 12 months.

Emma Atkinson, Building Compliance Manager at Ongo said: “We currently have a first-time access rate of 69% for annual gas servicing, which is a decrease on our usual rate of 76%.  We hope that by supporting campaigns like Gas Safety Week and helping to spread awareness, this will grow.

“It’s vital that our customers allow us access to carry out their gas check. It not only keeps them safe, but their families and neighbours too, and it also makes sure things are running as well and as cost-effectively as possible.

“I’d like to thank our customers who allow access and help things to run smoothly, and all my Ongo colleagues for making it happen.

“If you’re a resident and would like to see when your appliances were last serviced, you can log onto My Home, and for more gas safety information, visit our website.  You should also have received a copy of your last gas safety certificate following your service.”

Jonathan Samuel, Chief Executive Officer for Gas Safe Register, said: “Throughout the week, our partners, stakeholders and Gas Safe Register will share information to help everyone be gas safe, so I am very pleased to have the support of Ongo to help share those messages.”

By taking care of your gas appliances properly you are taking care of your home and your loved ones. No matter how big or small every check counts. Here is a guide to some simple checks that you can do at home:

• Allow access for your annual check. Gas appliances should be safety checked and serviced once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

• Check for warning signs that could indicate your gas appliances are not working correctly. Signs may include lazy yellow/orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance, a pilot light that keeps going out, too much condensation in the room, or error messages on the appliance’s control panel.

• Check that vents or flues are not blocked. Vents and flues are there to ensure your gas appliances work safely. Blocking them could prevent this.

• Check your knowledge. Remember the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse, and loss of consciousness.

• Check your carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. Regular testing ensures that alarms are operational and capable of alerting you to the presence of deadly CO. Also, check they are marked to standards EN50291 and still in date (if applicable).

• Check before doing DIY. Before drilling or hammering, check that there is no risk of hitting a gas pipe. Never DIY on a gas appliance.

Keep up to date with Gas Safety Week updates by following @GasSafeRegister on Facebook, X and Instagram and search #GSW24 and #GasSafetyWeek.

For more information on Ongo, or to find out about health and safety in their homes, visit their website: www.ongo.co