A HALTON Housing Trust gas safety squad will be targeting customers who have not yet had their annual safety check carried out - to help protect against the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Trust is appealing to 450 of its customers who have not yet booked their yearly 45 minute gas safety inspection to make an appointment to combat the silent killer.
A poster campaign will be launched this week by the Trust to encourage its customers to be aware of the dangers to both themselves and their families. This is even more important in the run up to Christmas when people spend even more time in their homes.
The Trust has also pledged to install carbon monoxide detectors in every one of its 6,230 homes by 2010 as part of its £85 million investment programme.
The Trust’s gas safety drive links in to Carbon Monoxide Awareness week. It also follows the launch of an awareness day at the House of Lords attended by the parents of the two children who tragically died in October when they were overcome by gas at their hotel in Corfu. It is thought the children were killed by fumes from a faulty boiler.
“A free 45 minute gas safety check by a Trust CORGI registered gas engineer once a year is all it takes to save lives from carbon monoxide, the silent killer,” said Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of Halton Housing Trust.
“Recent tragic events in Corfu highlight how important gas safety checks are,” he added.
The Trust is urging customers from its 450 homes who have not yet had this year’s check to contact them and make an appointment for a gas safety squad visit.
Mr Atkin said: “We want to remind all our customers that having an annual service and safety check will give them peace of mind that their home is safe from the dangers of faulty gas appliances. The Trust has a legal duty to carry out the annual service and safety check and takes this responsibility very seriously.
“While we do not want to take people to court, we will do this where customers do not allow us to undertake this vital work,” warned Mr Atkin. “This could lead to a legal bill for these customers of more than £700. Currently 24 Trust customers are subject to such legal proceedings although more will follow if they don’t allow us to safeguard their gas appliances.”
During 2006 Halton Housing Trust, the borough’s largest registered social landlord, has carried out 5,780 checks in its 6,230 properties. The Trust is expected to carry out gas safety checks to 100% of its properties.
Trust customers who have not had this year’s gas safety check carried out are urged to ring 0800 195 3172 (freephone) to make an appointment.
In the last 10 years there have been 247 deaths, as well as 68 gas explosions, in the UK as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.