The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) is supporting Gas Safety Week 2026, taking place from 14–20 September, and is urging households across the UK to take gas safety seriously and never ignore potential warning signs.
This year’s Gas Safety Week theme, ‘Take No Chances’, comes from the Gas Safe Register campaign and serves as a timely reminder that small, simple actions can make a significant difference when it comes to gas safety.
HHIC is joining organisations, businesses, community groups and Gas Safe registered engineers across the UK in sharing practical advice to help protect households from the risks associated with unsafe gas work and appliances.
Stewart Clements, Director of HHIC, said: “While today’s gas appliances are very safe, gas safety should never be taken for granted. The ‘Take No Chances’ message is a particularly important one because ignoring a concern, delaying a service or using someone who is not appropriately qualified can have serious consequences.
“As an industry, we have a responsibility to make sure consumers understand the simple steps they can take to protect themselves and their families. Using a Gas Safe registered engineer, arranging a regular service and knowing the warning signs of an unsafe appliance can all help keep people safe.
“We are pleased to support Gas Safety Week and will be sharing practical gas safety advice throughout the week. Our message is simple: if something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it – take action.”
Don’t ignore the warning signs
Gas appliances should be safety checked and serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Servicing provides an opportunity to identify potential problems and help ensure appliances are operating safely. HHIC has a useful guide to servicing gas boilers, which can be found here.
HHIC is encouraging households to look out for warning signs that could indicate an appliance is not working correctly. These can include lazy yellow or orange flames rather than crisp blue flames, black marks on or around an appliance, a pilot light that repeatedly goes out, excessive condensation or error messages on an appliance’s control panel.
Anyone who notices these signs should stop using the appliance and contact a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Carbon monoxide awareness
Gas Safety Week is also an opportunity to highlight the risks of carbon monoxide (CO).
CO is often described as the ‘silent killer’ because it cannot be seen, smelt or tasted. Symptoms of CO poisoning can include headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.
HHIC advises households that fitting an audible carbon monoxide alarm is a requirement under the Building Regulations when a new or replacement fixed combustion appliance is installed. Alarms should also be tested regularly and, when purchasing one, consumers should check that it is marked to BS EN 50291. Our guide to regional requirements for CO alarms can be found here.
Possible causes of carbon monoxide include appliances that are not burning fuel correctly, blocked or damaged flues, inadequate ventilation, poorly maintained appliances or appliances that have not been serviced regularly. It is important to ensure that vents and flues are not blocked, as these are essential to the safe operation of gas appliances. For example, overgrown garden plants, shrubs or leaves can obstruct an external flue terminal and prevent combustion products from dispersing safely.
Always use a qualified professional
One of the most important messages of Gas Safety Week is that gas work should never be attempted as a DIY job.
Anyone carrying out gas work must be Gas Safe registered, and consumers should check that the engineer is qualified for the specific type of work being undertaken.
Gas Safe registered engineers carry an ID card, either physical or digital, and consumers should not be afraid to ask to see it when an engineer arrives at their property. Their details can also be checked on the Gas Safe website.
Using an unregistered or unqualified person is illegal and can potentially lead to gas leaks, fires, explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Know what to do in an emergency
HHIC is also encouraging households to know what to do if they suspect a gas emergency.
People should know where their gas emergency control valve is located so they can turn off the gas quickly if needed. If they suspect a gas emergency, they should stop using gas appliances, turn off the gas at the meter, open windows and doors, leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Anyone who feels unwell should seek medical help.
For gas safety advice and to find or check a registered engineer, consumers can visit GasSafeRegister.co.uk.
HHIC will be sharing gas safety advice throughout Gas Safety Week across its social media channels, helping to reinforce the message that gas safety is something everyone should take seriously – not just during Gas Safety Week, but all year round.
