Gas Safety Week is an annual event to raise awareness of gas safety across the UK. Twenty three million households in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Guernsey use gas for heating, hot water and cooking, yet many of us take it for granted that our boilers, cookers and gas fires are safe. You can check how safe your area is using the interactive Gas Safe Map.

Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas engineers who are qualified to work safely and legally on gas appliances. By law, all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register (it replaced CORGI). All Gas Safe registered engineers carry a Gas Safe Register ID card. To find and check an engineer go to GasSafetyRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500. We would also suggest asking friends for recommendations where possible, shopping around and asking lots of questions.

Ensure your gas safety by following these simple steps:

• Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix or service your appliances, and always ask to see their ID card.

• Get your gas appliances regularly serviced and safety checked every year.

• Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm.

• Check for warning signs such as lazy yellow flames, black marks or stains around the appliance.

• Know the six main signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness.

• Don’t use a gas oven to heat a room or use a gas barbecue inside the house.

• Make sure you do not block air vents that provide air supply to the gas appliance.

Remember to check that your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues are also safe and aware.

If you suspect anyone to be working illegally report it to Gas Safe Register. And if you have had gas work done in your property in the last six months, you can nominate it for a free gas safety check. For more information go to GasSafetyRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.