Beware of rogue gas installers

WARNING!   Unscrupulous rogue traders are capitalising on a rising elderly population and the impact of the credit crunch, warns Gas Safe Register and Trading Standards Institute today. Advice for Liverpool householders is simple - be on the alert for anyone who claims to be a registered gas engineer.

Dishonest traders who make false claims about their qualifications and carry out unsafe gas work could leave hundreds of Liverpool householders in danger every year. A survey carried out for Gas Safe Register, revealed that more than half of Liverpool householders trust their gas engineer is registered and qualified without ever checking their credentials.

An estimated 20,000 gas installers are operating illegally in Great Britain. Only Gas Safe registered engineers are able by law to carry out gas work in the home. Gas Safe Register has see an increase in the number of legal and competent engineers to 126,000 across Great Britain and the Isle of Man, exceeding by several thousand the number of installers registered on the previous scheme.

Every Gas Safe registered engineer has a photo ID card with a unique licence number, and details of the work they are qualified to do. To check this information simply enter the engineer’s licence number on the website or call the helpline.

“There are no second chances with gas,” warns Peter Eldridge, chief executive of Gas Safe Register. “Saving pennies by using an illegal installer could cost yours and your family’s lives. Badly installed, repaired and maintained gas appliances can cause fires, explosions, gas escapes and CO poisoning, all of which can kill. Last year, hundreds of families were affected by careless gas work and 14 people died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning alone, so it’s vital that Liverpool householders should only employ Gas Safe registered engineers that are qualified and competent for the job.”

The Trading Standards Institute, whose members work closely with police and community groups to raise awareness of rogue traders, are delighted that Gas Safe Register is campaigning to make Great Britain gas safe.

A Trading Standards Institute spokesperson said:- “Rogue traders will always seize an opportunity to carry out shoddy work and rip-off householders. Gas installation work is no exception and in addition to being ripped off people’s lives are put at risk. We would advise all Liverpool residents to ensure they only use a gas engineer who carries the Gas Safe card.”

To find and check a Gas Safe registered engineer in your area visit:- www.gassaferegister.co.uk or call today on this freephone telephone number:- 0800 408 5500.

Gas Safe Register’s top tips to keep you and your family gas safe:-

Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer for any gas work in your home – and check both sides of their Gas Safe card to verify the card is valid and they are qualified to do the work.

Make sure your gas appliances are safety checked and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines, or at least once a year.

If you live in rented accommodation, your landlord must arrange for a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out a safety check every year on all gas appliances.

You should get a copy of the safety certificate before you move in or within 28 days of the safety check. If you don’t have this certificate, ask your landlord for one.

Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm, which will alert you if dangerous levels are present in your home.

If you smell gas or think there might be a gas leak, you must turn off the gas at the meter, extinguish naked flames, open windows and leave the area.

Seek medical advice if you feel unwell.

Call the Gas Emergency freephone number 0800 111 999.

European Election 2009 North West Results

IF you did not know already the results for the European Election 2009 in the North West all 8 seats were declared in the early hours of Monday, 8 June 2009 after being counted in Manchester, over Sunday night. The turnout was 1,651,825 of an electorate of 5,206,474. The shocking news was for many that the BMP (British National Party) gained a seat. Also nationally they gained another giving them 2 of the 72 seats. Labour lost a seat to the BMP and both Lib Dems and Conservatives held their seats. UK Independence Party also held their seat, but surprisingly did not gain any more, unlike nationally. North West's Liberal Democrat MEP, Chris Davies:- "I would have liked to have seen my party sweep the board, but we had 11 Liberal Democrat MEPs when I left Brussels and I return to a group of exactly the same size. We did not lose a single seat. In the North West of England we topped the poll in Stockport, South Lakeland, and Burnley, while the detailed results show that we are on target to make gains in the region at the general election, whenever it is held. It was the most frustrating election campaign I have ever known. On no occasion did anyone in the media ask me about the work I actually do in the European Parliament. Democracy has not been well served by the concentration on Gordon Brown and Westminster expenses, and I doubt if anyone knows more about the issues facing the European Union at the end of the campaign than they did before it started. Of course I am sorry that the British National Party won a seat here, but I take heart from the fact that 92% of those who voted in the NorthWest rejected its policies of racial division. There will be a lot of good people who wanted to make a gesture of protest so did not bother to vote. As a result they woke up today to find they had a BNP representative, and I hope they are kicking themselves. In the European Parliament the BNP will join a small group of racists and hate-filled extremists from other countries. The vast majority of MEPs know from Europe's history that their ideas lead only to death, destruction and misery, and are determined to ensure that it never happens again.”

Email us your views on the election results and BMP getting in to the European Parliament.

WITNESS APPEAL - SUSPECTED ARSON, SEAFORTH

MERSEYSIDE Police are now appealing for witnesses following a suspected arson at a premises in Seaforth on Saturday, 6 June 2009.  At around 3.30pm, officers were called to an unoccupied building in Church Road following reports that smoke was billowing across Crosby Road.  Both lanes of Crosby Road were temporarily closed while Mersey Fire and Rescue Service dealt with the fire.  An investigation was launched into the cause of the fire and detectives believe it may have been started deliberately, with the offender or offenders possibly having gained access to the building through a back door.  The building was unoccupied at the time and no-one was hurt during the incident. It is the former International pub and was being used by the owner to store furniture at the time of the fire.  Anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at around the time of the fire or who has any other information is asked to call DC Stephen Devlin at Copy Lane CID on 0151 777 3168 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

APPEAL FOR WITNESSES - ROBBERY, LIMEKILN LANE, LIVERPOOL

MERSEYSIDE Police would like to speak to anyone who has information about a robbery that occurred on Limekiln Lane, Liverpool at 1.15pm on Tuesday, 2 June 2009.  A man had his camera bag snatched from him by two men who were riding dark BMX type bicycles. The men are both described as being white, in their late teens and of slim build, wearing dark clothing.  The camera bag contained a distinctive Nikon D1X Camera, serial number 5142108.  Detective Constable Andy Bason said:- "The victim is anxious to have his camera returned as it contained personal and professional photographs. Some of these photographs are of sentimental value and others are very important for his job. The camera has a serial number and I take this opportunity to warn people about the consequences of buying or handling stolen property.”  Anyone with information should call Merseyside Police on:- 0151 777 4811 or Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555111.