Torus is once again supporting Gas Safety Week (9-15 September 2024) to raise awareness about the importance of gas safety.

Gas Safety Week aims to highlight the dangers of unsafe or unserviced boilers and gas appliances and Torus is encouraging customers to allow access into their homes for their annual gas safety check. The dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

This year for Gas Safety Week, the theme is ‘Checking—Every Check Counts’, emphasising the importance of, amongst other things, regular gas safety checks. The theme highlights the significance of checking all gas appliances and encouraging people to prioritise gas safety in their homes. By showing how important every check is, Gas Safety Week aims to raise awareness and promote measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of households.

Barrie Frodsham, Torus Compliance Manager said:

“Every year, we complete essential gas safety checks across Torus’s thousands of properties and I want to personally thank those tenants who let us into their homes for these checks. You are all putting your safety, and the safety of your communities, first and we appreciate that.

“Winter is fast approaching, and during these checks our Gas Safe registered engineers will ensure your boilers are working effectively. If you are struggling to pay your bills, there is support available through both Torus and Torus Foundation”

Jonathan Samuel, Chief Executive Officer for Gas Safe Register, said:

“This is the fourteenth Gas Safety Week and the theme for 2024 is Checking—Every Check Counts. The week will encourage checking, in many guises, and shine a light on the importance gas safety in keeping ourselves and our community safe. Throughout Gas Safety Week, our partners, stakeholders and Gas Safe Register will share information to help everyone be gas safe, so I am very pleased to have the support of [insert name of organisation] to help share those messages, such as check the Gas Safe Register to ensure your engineer is registered and qualified.”

Your gas safety check appointment

Remember, carbon monoxide kills. If you can let us in, please do. However, if you have any concerns, wish to change your gas appointment or have any questions please call 0800 678 1894 or email info@torus.co.uk.

Find out more about gas safety and your safety check here.

To keep you and your family safe, follow Gas Safe Register’s top tips:

• If you smell gas or think there might be a gas leak, call the free 24-hour national gas emergency number immediately on 0800 111 999. You should also report if your Carbon Monoxide Alarm goes off.
• Know the symptoms of CO poisoning - headaches, nausea, breathlessness, collapse, dizziness and loss of consciousness.
• Have an audible carbon monoxide alarm. This will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home.
• Never attempt to work on a gas appliance yourself, always seek the help of a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer who can work on your gas cooker, boiler or fire in a safe way.
• Check for warning signs your appliances aren’t working correctly e.g., lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.
• Don’t cut corners - only employ a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer when having gas work carried out in your home.
• Always ask to see your engineer’s Gas Safe ID card. Make sure you check the back of the card, which will state which gas appliances they are qualified to work on.
• Gas Safe Register is the official register for legally qualified engineers. You can find a registered engineer in your area by visiting the Gas Safe Register website at GasSafeRegister.co.uk.

Not a Torus tenant?

We want all our communities to stay safe, so if you live in your own home or privately rent, you should have your gas appliances checked every year. For gas safety advice or to find and check an engineer visit the Gas Safe Register website at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk. Alternatively, call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500.

Permissions

Torus tenants are responsible to clean, maintain and repair their own gas cooker and must get permission to carry out any gas works in their home, which must be done using a Gas Safe Registered Engineer. Permissions to carry out gas works can be requested by calling Torus Customer Hub on 0800 678 1894 or emailing info@torus.co.uk.

Struggling with your bills, rent or tenancy?

As costs of fuel and energy remain high, we want to reassure our customers that we are here for them. We have a range of dedicated teams ready to help:

• If you are ever struggling to pay your rent, our Income Services Team can agree an affordable repayment plan and provide advice.
• If you are struggling to manage your tenancy, contact the Torus Tenancy Sustainment Team, who can provide support.

If you need help with benefits, budgeting or debt advice, as a Torus customer, you can access free support from Citizens Advice. Contact them directly on 0808 279 7840. They are taking enquiries from Torus customers across all areas, so make sure they know you’re with Torus. If you need help with your referral, contact Torus Foundation on 0300 123 5809 (option 2) or email info@torusfoundation.org.uk. For energy and fuel advice contact Torus Foundation. Find out more at www.torusfoundation.org.uk/money.

Find out more about accessing support with rent and money here.

You can also find a full range of support relating to increasing energy prices here, plus a range of energy saving tips here.

Keep up to date with Gas Safe Register’s updates and advice throughout Gas Safety Week by following @GasSafeRegister on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and search #GSW24 and #GasSafetyWeek.