People are being urged to have their gas appliances checked regularly as part of a campaign to reduce the number of fires caused by faulty equipment.
And a Huddersfield mum who went through a personal tragedy is backing the campaign.
The fifth annual Gas Safety Week runs until Sunday, and sees organisations working together to highlight the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause fires, leaks, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.
During the past three years, West Yorkshire firefighters have tackled 22 fires caused by faulty gas appliances or faulty gas supply.
And nationally, 20 people have died and there have been 1,000 gas-related injuries.
Ian Bitcon, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service area manager for fire safety, said: “I can’t stress enough the importance of ensuring your gas appliances are safe and serviced regularly. If not, they are a ticking time bomb. Please keep you and your family safe from harm and have your cooker, gas fire, boiler and any other gas appliances you have serviced by a reputable engineer.”
Jonathan Samuel, managing director for Gas Safe Register, said: “We know from our own investigations that one in six gas appliances in the UK are unsafe, meaning far too many people are victims of preventable gas related incidents.”
Stacey Rodgers, of Deighton lost her 10-year-old son Dominic to carbon monoxide poisoning in February 2004. He was overcome by fumes at the family’s then home in Spaines Road, Fartown.
Stacey said: “The Coroner phoned to say that Dominic had died from carbon monoxide poisoning. I had to turn to my family and ask what this was, as it was something I have never heard of before – my brother said it is a killer, a poison.
“It wasn’t until the days went on that I realised not only could I have been killed as well, but the carbon monoxide didn’t even come from any gas or fossil fuel appliances in my house, but came from next door’s house. It had seeped through brickwork and into his bedroom as he slept.
“I felt guilty and blamed myself for the death of my son”.
Stacey established the Dominic Rodgers Trust in 2004. The Trust has been raising awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide since 2004 and has been a registered charity since 2009.
The Trust, aims to campaign for high levels of gas safety, particularly related to the prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning and to promulgate educational and environmental programs for children parents and families.
