One in five homeowners has never had a gas safety check, research reveals
New research has revealed that despite a reduction in the number of deaths caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, a worrying one in five UK homeowners has never had a gas safety check carried out on the gas appliances within their home.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows that in a single year, 43 people died due to accidental poisoning from carbon monoxide. A further 20 people died due to accidental poisoning by other gases and vapours, with 70% of these additional deaths occurring within the home.
The good news is that this number is on the decline. Accidental deaths from carbon monoxide fell by -7% on an annual basis and sit some -46% lower than a decade ago.
At the same time, accidental poisoning by other gases and vapours specifically within the home fell by -13% year on year and have more than halved (-52%) in the last 10 years.
While there is no legal obligation, a gas safety check is highly recommended, as any gas appliance could leave you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if faulty.
However, a survey of UK homeowners, commissioned by FariFix, found that despite the dangers posed by gas appliances, a worrying number of homeowners are failing to conduct the proper checks.
While half of those surveyed (51%) are carrying out the advised annual check of their gas appliances, 22% stated that they had never had a gas safety check in their home.
A further 14% stated that they couldn’t remember the last time they had done so.