{"id":235507,"date":"2023-09-11T16:38:38","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T16:38:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/?p=235507"},"modified":"2023-09-11T16:38:38","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T16:38:38","slug":"hundreds-of-homeowners-lack-confidence-in-spotting-gas-leaks-study-finds-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/lifestyle\/hundreds-of-homeowners-lack-confidence-in-spotting-gas-leaks-study-finds-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Hundreds of homeowners lack confidence in spotting gas leaks, study finds | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

ONE in four homeowners don\u2019t feel confident spotting signs of a dangerous gas leak, research has revealed.<\/p>\n

A study of 2,000 adults who own properties with gas supplied found just 18% would attribute discolouring in their walls to a leak.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

While only 22% would be concerned if there were air bubbles in standing water outside their property.<\/p>\n

For those with gas ovens, just 17% would suspect a leak if there were fluctuations with the temperature, with a mere 13% consider leaking gas if smoke was coming from their oven.<\/p>\n

The research, commissioned by British Gas to mark Gas Safety Week (September 11-17), also found 22% are putting themselves at risk because they don\u2019t have a carbon monoxide alarm.<\/p>\n

Sunny Solanky, a technical gas engineer for the utilities provider, said: \u201cWe regularly visit customers who haven\u2019t had their gas appliances checked for years and remain unaware of the warning signs.<\/p>\n

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\u201cInstalling an audible carbon monoxide alarm should be a priority for every homeowner.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cMany people aren\u2019t aware that most alarms have batteries sealed inside the unit that can\u2019t be replaced, meaning the alarm itself has an expiry date and needs replacing every five to seven years.\u201d<\/p>\n

The survey also found 75% of adults believe physical symptoms, such as headaches and dizziness, are the most common signs of a potential gas leak.<\/p>\n

This was followed by the home smelling like rotten eggs (67%), while 60% understand a higher-than-usual gas usage can point to a harmful leak.<\/p>\n

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Upon moving into their properties, 48% had appliances tested to ensure they are up to scratch.<\/p>\n

And 64% of homeowners regularly have checks done by a Gas Safe registered professional \u2013 with 71% having this carried out annually.<\/p>\n

But despite many having regular checks, 11% have still experienced a gas leak at home, the OnePoll.com research found.<\/p>\n

Sunny Solanky, from British Gas, added: \u201cNo matter what type of property you live in, it\u2019s important to have your gas appliances checked regularly by a Gas Safe registered professional.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe older the property, the more important it becomes to ensure these regular checks are in place.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut even if you are getting the property tested regularly, don\u2019t ignore any unusual or new odours that don\u2019t smell right.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI can say I\u2019ve genuinely saved someone\u2019s life during a maintenance call, as a boiler at the property had a hole at the back of it, with fumes leaking into the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe customer was experiencing headaches but hadn\u2019t realised it was related to their boiler \u2013 and their carbon monoxide alarm was out of date, so the leak went undetected.<\/p>\n

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