Rogue Boiler Installers Are Putting Thousands at Risk
(firmenpresse) - LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwire) -- 10/14/11 -- British lives are being put at risk by 'cowboy' boiler installers, the Gas Safety Register (GSR) has warned.
According to the gas safety watchdog, homeowners need to be more aware of the dangers of poorly fitted and badly maintained gas appliances, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning (CO).
In London alone, 79% of boilers installed by 'rogue' fitters were deemed a risk or 'immediately dangerous.' The watchdog is urging homeowners to only use qualified boiler installers who carry a Gas Safe ID card and report anyone operating illegally.
Ross McTaggart, GSR's head of field operations, said: 'We need to stop these people and the only way to do it is with the help of the consumer.
'These traders are putting people's lives in danger. The primary issue arising from illegal fittings is carbon monoxide poisoning but a boiler installed illegally can also cause explosions or fires. We need to raise awareness of this and urge people to make sure they check a fitter's credentials.'
GSR monitors gas fitters operating across the country and says there are about 7,500 cowboys nationwide who do 250,000 illegal jobs a year.
London resident Marcia Morgan experienced a major gas leak in her home after cowboy builders installed the wrong kind of boiler in 2008.
The 36 year-old called in a gas inspector this year: 'I was horrified when he immediately switched off the boiler saying it could have blown the side of my house off.'
Ms Morgan continued: 'My builder appeared to have the right credentials but he obviously wasn't qualified.'
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Over the past year, accidental carbon monoxide poisoning led to more than 50 deaths as 4,000 people were hospitalised. But the problem is believed to be even more widespread, as many people don't associate symptoms of low-level CO poisoning, which include cold, flu and general lethargy, with the gas. Almost 50% of people have admitted that they don't know what the warning signs of CO poisoning are.
The Department of Health recently announced that large numbers of people are currently being treated in hospital for low-level carbon monoxide poisoning. Children are at greater risk, as the smaller the victim the more quickly the body can be overcome by the effects of CO.
Gas fires, gas cookers and central heating systems can all leak carbon monoxide if fitted incorrectly or not serviced regularly. CO is known as the 'silent killer' because of its complete lack of taste, colour or smell and can be extremely hard to detect without the help of a carbon monoxide detector or regular professional service.
Despite these potential dangers, research by the GSR found that 43% of people still fail to service their gas appliances regularly, with 1 in 10 admitting they own an appliance which has never been checked.
Most comprehensive policies will include an annual central heating service, with a carbon monoxide safety check. If you don't currently own a CO detector, you can also ask your engineer to fit one during the service. Contact your gas supplier about insurance and service options for all your gas appliances to help keep your home and family safe.
Contacts:
British Gas
Press Office
0800 107 7015
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Datum: 14.10.2011 - 08:00 Uhr
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News-ID 76157
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
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Utilities
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