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Residential property landlords urged to check gas appliances
15/11/10
Edited by Bob Witham.Residential property landlords have been urged to ensure a qualified professional checks their gas appliances annually to help keep tenants safe.
The National Landlords Association (NLA) issued the reminder as part of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, which starts today (15th November).
According to the organisation, the gas is often called "the silent killer" because it is colourless, tasteless and odourless.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can also be hard to detect because its symptoms are similar to the flu and can include tiredness, nausea, headaches and dizziness.
Exposure to the gas can cause significant health problems and, in some cases, can result in death in as little as two hours, the NLA added.
The organisation's director of operations Richard Price said a few "simple precautions" like installing carbon monoxide detectors and showing tenants how to use the emergency gas shut-off valve can help residents to stay safe.
"The most important thing is to ensure all gas appliances are inspected by a registered gas installer annually," he added.
By law, gas appliances in the UK, the Isle of Man and Guernsey must be fitted and maintained by one of the 123,000 qualified engineers on the Gas Safe Register.
