Gas fires: 5 tips to keep you and your family safe

Gas fires are a popular choice of fireplace, offering great heat output, an attractive real flame and lots of design variety. Whilst they can run smoothly for many years, it is important that you are aware of how to use and maintain them safely. As with all gas appliances, improper usage can be dangerous, and so we’ve put together some top tips to help keep you safe whilst you and your family enjoy your cosy fireplace to its fullest.

1) Safety screens

The safety of children, or even pets, around a fireplace is a big concern. Steps should be taken to ensure little ones can’t access controls or burn themselves on any fire, including gas fireplaces. Even if the flames of your fireplace are contained behind a glass front, this can still become hot and should not be considered as a safety solution alone. It is, therefore, a good idea to put in place a safety screen or fireplace guard when you have young children about. Even with such a guard, you should never leave a fire on and unattended, whether you have children or not.

2) Review instructions

Before using your gas fireplace, you should give the instructions a thorough read. Operating the fire according to the instructions will ensure you use it as safely as possible. The manufacturer’s instructions will also give useful advice such as to how to relight the pilot flame or carry out basic maintenance properly. Bear in mind that different gas fires can operate in different ways, meaning that if you get a new fire installed you should still read the instructions and not assume it will work in the same ways as your old one.

3) Carbon monoxide detectors

Carbon monoxide gas can be deadly and it is virtually undetectable to the human senses. Should your gas fireplace develop a fault, it is possible that carbon monoxide leaks can occur; to prevent these from going unchecked, it is vital you install a carbon monoxide detector close by your fireplace. It is worth researching the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning too, to help you detect and respond fittingly to a leak.

4) Annual servicing

By organising a trained and accredited professional to service your fireplace annually, you can rest assured that it is functioning properly and is in good working order. Your expert will check the condition and performance of all functionals parts, picking up on any faults, identifying potential problems, and offering a swift fix when necessary.

5) Choose registered professionals

When selecting a professional for any form of work on gas fireplaces, it is important that you choose an accredited and registered professional. The technical and potentially hazardous nature of the work means it’s crucial your workers have the necessary training and experience to ensure they carry out safe, high quality work. Whether you need an installer, servicer or repairman, check that they are Gas Safe Registered and registered with HETAS.

Enviro-Flame are fireplace experts who can supply customers with a large range of fireplaces, including gas, electric and solid fuel burners. Our skilled and well-trained team can offer a high quality installation service for any of our units, ensuring your new fireplace operates smoothly and looks wonderful in your home. Get in touch with our helpful team today with any enquiries – we serve customers in London and the surrounding areas.