These inspections will be done by our repairs and maintenance service Celtic Horizons, and will include:
- An annual gas safety check to make sure your heating system is safe and working
- An annual smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm check
- An electrical safety inspection at least once every five years
Celtic Horizons will arrange safety check visits with you in advance to agree a date and time. If things change and you can’t make the appointment, please call us as soon as possible so we can re-book your appointment and give the slot to someone else.
Smelling gas?
If you can smell gas in your home or anywhere outside, leave your home or area and call the National Grid immediately on 0800 111 999. Then, tell Celtic Horizons by calling 0330 159 6080 and pressing 1.
Frequently asked questions
Please make sure that there’s space around the boiler and move anything that may be in the way, to help the Celtic Horizons team work safely and quickly.
The engineer will look at your gas meter to make sure there are no leaks, and check your gas boiler to make sure it’s working correctly. They will also check your carbon monoxide alarm and smoke alarms to make sure they’re in date.
Your gas check will take around one hour.
Yes, the certificate will be posted to you a few weeks after the appointment.
The electrician will need access to every plug socket in your home, so please move any furniture away from the sockets for easy access.
The electrician will check your fuse board, lights and every plug socket to make sure everything is safe and working properly. If something is faulty and could put you in immediate danger, the electrician will fix it during the appointment. If it can’t be fixed on site, they’ll make a follow-up appointment with you to come out and fix it within three months.
It will take up to four hours in a house, and less time in an apartment. The electrician will take sockets off the walls and remove light fittings, but everything will be put back as it was without any damage.
Following these tips means you can make sure your appliances are in good condition and working safely.
- Look out for warning signs that your appliance isn’t working correctly. This includes the flame being lazy and yellow instead of crisp and blue, black marks appearing around the appliance, or more condensation in the room. If you notice any of these signs, get in touch with Celtic Horizons.
- Be aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, dizziness, feeling sick, breathlessness, loss of consciousness. The symptoms may get worse when you spend time in the room with the gas appliance and get better when you leave or go outside. If you think you have carbon monoxide poisoning, open all windows and doors, go outside and call the National Gas Helpline immediately on 0800 111 999.
- Do not block vents during cold weather. The vents are there to help your appliance work correctly and safely.
- Look out for damaged electrical cables – all power cables and extension leads should be checked regularly, and repaired or replaced as required. As a rule of thumb, don’t run cables under rugs and furniture, as they can cause a trip hazard, overheat or get crushed and damaged.
- Don’t overload sockets – overloading plug sockets is a common cause of electrical fires. Always make sure the sockets are cool to the touch, and only plug one heat-producing appliance into a multi-way socket at a time.
- Keep unused cables tidy and secure – electrical safety doesn’t only apply when cables are in use. Make sure they’re stored away safely when you’re not using them. It’s best not to wrap cables around objects (like your hairdryer or laptop plug), as it can stretch them, and cause overheating. And never put an electricity cable on a hot surface, as it can damage the insulation and wiring inside.
- Unplug all unused appliances – an unplugged appliance is safer than one that’s left plugged in. Not only does it save you money (as plugged-in appliances still use power when on standby mode) but it protects them from overheating or power surges. If your sockets are a bit hard to reach, like behind bookcases or sofas, invest in a smart plug or energy-saving extension bar if you can.
- Allow space for air circulation – electrical equipment needs room for the air to circulate, to keep cool it while it’s working. Without this, it can overheat and be a fire hazard. Don’t put anything on top of electrical appliances like microwaves, and don’t run electrical equipment in cupboards. And if you’re using a standalone heater, make sure it’s at least a foot from the wall.
- Be safe with heaters – it might sound like common sense, but keep combustible items away from heaters. Portable heaters shouldn’t be used near curtains, and should always be on a level, stable surface.
- Avoid knock-off goods – be careful of items purchased outside or imported into the UK, as these don’t always meet national safety standards. And definitely avoid counterfeit electrical goods (such as fake-brand hair straighteners), which are a leading cause of electrical shocks and fires. This goes for batteries and chargers too. Try to only buy the official branded chargers for your laptop or phone, ideally straight from the manufacturer
