The Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas engineers who are qualified to work safely and legally on gas appliances. It replaced CORGI. 

To make sure that gas appliances such as boilers, fires, ovens and hobs are fitted, fixed and serviced safely, only a Gas Safe registered engineer qualified for that particular task, should carry out the work. If someone else undertakes gas work, they are breaking the law and could put lives at risk.

Badly fitted and poorly serviced appliances can leak gas and cause fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Protect yourself from the dangers by following these steps:

• Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix or service your appliances;
• Get your gas appliances regularly serviced and safety checked every year;
• Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm;
• Check for warning signs such as lazy yellow flames or black marks or stains around the appliance;
• know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. (see right)

Landlords are legally responsible for the safety of their tenants

By law landlords must make sure:

• pipe-work, appliances and flues provided for tenants are maintained in a safe condition;
• that all appliances and flues that they provide for tenants use have an annual safety check;
• that maintenance and annual safety checks are carried out by an engineer registered with Gas Safe Register;
• all gas equipment (including any appliance left by a previous tenant) is safe or otherwise removed before re-letting;
• a gas safety record is provided to the tenant within 28 days of completing the check or to any new tenant before they move in;
• they keep a copy of the gas safety record for two years.             

If you are a tenant always:

• Ask for a copy of the landlord's current gas safety record before you move in or after the check has been carried out; 
• Check the ID card of any gas engineer that comes to do work in your home. The engineer must be Gas Safe registered;
• Check the engineer is qualified for the work you need doing. You can find this information on the back of the ID card;
• Cooperate with your landlord and let a registered engineer in when a gas safety check or servicing has to be done;
• Arrange for any gas appliances you own to be regularly serviced and safety checked every year.

Remember, if you think a gas appliance is faulty turn it off and let your landlord know immediately. Badly fitted and poorly serviced appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you feel unwell seek medical help immediately.