Safety hints in the home

Follow these hints for maintaining and using gas appliances safely in the home.

Get brick chimneys and gas heaters checked this winter to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

Energy Safe Victoria is urging all Victorians with gas heaters built into brick chimneys to get them tested for carbon monoxide spillage before winter. This includes space and room heaters and decorative log fires. 

While brick chimneys are designed to safely remove combustion products from the home, they can deteriorate over time. Any holes in the mortar or brick work could stop the chimney drawing properly. If the fault is bad enough, it may create back pressure that could push toxic carbon monoxide into living areas.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless gas that can be produced by faulty, unserviced gas heaters and it can be fatal.

Nine Victorians have died from carbon monoxide poisoning in the past decade, including brothers Chase and Tyler Robinson in 2010.

Energy Safe Victoria and the Plumbing Industry Commission recommend that all gas heaters be serviced at least every two years by a registered or licensed gasfitter to ensure they are working properly and to keep your family safe.

The gasfitter who services your appliance must use a CO analyser to test for carbon monoxide spillage.

You can find a list of tradespeople in your local newspaper or Yellow Pages.

Servicing gas appliances

Gas appliances need regular servicing as:

• Burners in water heaters or space heaters can become blocked with dust or lint and then soot up the heat exchanger and flue passageways,

• Air filters, air ways and fans can become blocked by lint and dust, leading to overheating and burner problems,
• Safety controls can wear out and fail.

Have your water heater, space heater or central heater serviced by a licensed gasfitter at least every two years. .

Always follow the manufacturer’s service plan and keep a record of the date of service.

Click here for a list of gasfitters who are licensed to service gas appliances.

Remove clothing and paper from around gas appliances

Items such as clothing and paper left close to or on gas appliances are a fire risk.

Take care with flammable products around the home

• Do not pour petrol near a gas appliance or flue outlet – petrol fumes could be ignited by the appliance flame.
• Do not fill your mower with petrol near a gas appliance or flue outlet.
• Do not spray aerosols near operating gas appliances – the flammable gas in aerosols pressure packs can be a fire hazard.
• Don't store chemicals or pressure packs on or near a gas appliance – heat may cause them to react or explode.
• Never use or store flammable materials such as petrol, mineral turpentine, paint or combustible cleaning solutions near a gas appliance.
• Turn off any pilot burners before using tile adhesive or solvents near a gas appliance.

Don't get distracted in the kitchen

If you have something on the stove and get called away, turn off the burners or take a wooden spoon with you to remind you what you've left behind. Never leave frying chips unattended, as the oil may boil over and start a fire.

See the 'Take Care When Cooking' campaign

Operate gas appliances correctly

• Use gas appliances only for their intended purpose and according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never tamper with safety valves or other fittings and do not use excessive force to open or close gas control knobs.
• Never use an oven to heat a room or as a clothes dryer.
• Turn off your radiant gas heater when you leave the house or go to sleep.
• Always supervise young children near heaters or any gas appliance.
• Clean your oven, grill, hot plate and rangehood regularly to prevent the build up of spilled fats and burnt foods and reduce the risk of fire.

Be careful near your gas supply

Take care when using lawn mowers, brush cutters or digging in the garden so you do not damage gas pipes or your gas meter assembly.