Rise in illegal gas work prosecutions prompts safety warnings for homeowners

The Health and Safety Executive has highlighted a notable rise in legal actions against people carrying out gas work without proper accreditation. Convictions have climbed dramatically, prompting the agency to caution homeowners about the dangers of unregistered tradespeople. Improperly installed or maintained gas appliances can lead to hazardous leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

With colder weather and higher energy bills on the horizon, the HSE stresses that even a single incident is unacceptable. It advises consumers to verify that any engineer they hire appears on the Gas Safe Register and to refuse service from anyone not listed. The message is part of the annual Gas Safety Week campaign aimed at preventing avoidable tragedies.