Child Accident Prevention Trust
Able Skills are proud to help raise awareness of Child Safety Week taking place from today the 4th - 10th of June. Such campaign is run by Child Accident Prevention Trust to help raise awareness of the risks of child accidents and how they can be prevented. Falling in such category are the risks associated with Gas appliances in the home. Kids can be particularly exposed to such risks if we as adults are not doing everything in our power to ensure our home is deemed as Gas Safe. With it being huge topic on our Gas Courses, it is essential for us that we as a construction course training provider help raise awareness of such issues and ensure the gas training we offer has health and safety at its core.
Taking this into consideration, take a look at some top tips to help keep your child safe given by Gas Safe themselves:
- Only employ a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer when having gas work carried out in your home. Gas Safe Register is the official register for legally qualified engineers. You can find a registered engineer in your area by visiting the Gas Safe Register website or by calling on 0800 408 5500.
- ‘Don’t cut corners’ and always ask to see your engineer’s Gas Safe ID card. Make sure you check the back of the card, which will state which gas appliances they are qualified to work on.
- Know the symptoms of CO poisoning; headaches, nausea, breathlessness, collapse, dizziness and loss of consciousness.
- Be aware of the signs of unsafe gas appliances; if the flames on the gas hob are yellow or orange and lazy, rather than being a crisp blue flame; dark staining on/around appliances; pilot lights that frequently blow out; increased condensation inside windows.
- If you suspect that someone is an illegal fitter or are worried about gas work carried out in your home, you can report this online or contact Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500.
- If you smell gas or think there might be a gas leak, call the free 24-hour national gas emergency number immediately on 0800 111 999.
Let's take a deeper look at CO poisoning. Carbon Monoxide cannot be seen, smelt or tasted, but if carbon monoxide creeps out
from flame-burning appliances it can kill children
in seconds.
Here's a couple extra tips for avoiding CO poisoning:
• Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in every room
where you have a gas appliance or fire.
• Get your gas appliances serviced regularly.
Keeping yourself and your child safe starts through the correct knowledge being provided. Whether undertaking training through gas courses or being advised by a Gas Safe Engineer, it's up to you to make sure you are kept in the loop.
Stay safe rather than sorry and avoid all hazards related to gas as well as any other dangers. Able Skills are more than happy to help raise the awareness of Child Safety Week and hope it helps those who are in need of advice!