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We’re supporting the tenth anniversary of Gas Safety Week as figures show an improving relationship with our customers, with more people trusting us to make sure their home is safe and secure at the first time of asking.

Around 32,000 of our 44,000 homes across the West Midlands and South West require an annual inspection to ensure gas appliances are safe and in good working order. During 2019 to 2020, we were 100% compliant against all our requirements for gas safety in our homes.

New figures coinciding with Gas Safety Week 2020, which runs from 14 September to 20 September, reveal that there has been a 15% increase in customers giving our engineers access to homes at the first time of asking in the past three months compared to the period of lockdown (60% in Mar-May vs 75% in Jun-Aug).

Safety checks on gas appliances are a legal requirement with carbon monoxide poisoning affecting over 1,000 people each year and often proving fatal. Our safety checks are carried out by colleagues in our service delivery team as well as two longstanding contract partners, J Tomlinson and Hewers FM.

Karen Simpkins, head of compliance, said: “We are really flexible with appointments and the safety check itself only takes around 30 – 40 minutes to carry out. This involves servicing the boiler and checking smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s all about safety, not just for our customers but potentially for their neighbours as well.

“Customers have also been really reassured by the additional safety precautions we are taking in light of the coronavirus pandemic, with colleagues wearing full PPE for all home visits. One week we even got 100% first time access which is unheard of really so we’re grateful for the support and trust customers are placing in us and it’s also testament to a great team working really well together.”

Gas Safety Week is run by the Gas Safe Register which maintains the nationwide list of all engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas appliances. The week highlights the importance of keeping gas appliances safe and in good working order by having them serviced on an annual basis.

Preparing yourself for a gas safety check and want to know what to expect? Find out more about how we're ensuring the safety and wellbeing of customers and colleagues during home visits.