Don’t use the appliance for something it isn’t designed for, such as using a cooker to heat the room.

This helps gas appliances to burn properly and prevents other issues at home, such as the build-up of condensation. Don’t block air vents and open your windows while you cook and bathe.

The flame on a gas cooker, or any other gas appliance, should burn blue. If you notice yellow or orange flames, or black marks or extra condensation, turn the appliance off and report it to us.

Experiencing headaches and feeling lightheaded, dizzy, nauseous, and breathless are symptoms of a gas leak. If you feed unwell, go outside immediately and see if your symptoms ease. If they do, you may have a gas leak.

Get any gas appliances installed and regularly serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Plug one heat-producing appliance into a multi-way socket at a time and check your sockets are cool to the touch.

Check your power cables and extension leads regularly so they can be repaired or replaced if they are damaged. Avoid running them under rugs or furniture so they don’t overheat or get crushed.

Also, unplugging means you save money if you forget to turn an appliance off standby mode. If some of your plugs are hard to reach, you could consider a smart plug or energy-saving extension.

Store your cables when you aren’t using them and try not to wrap them around objects (for example, your hairdryer handle – it stretches the cable).

Electrical equipment needs breathing space to keep the appliance cool, otherwise it can become a fire hazard. Don’t put anything on top of appliances and don’t run any electric equipment inside cupboards.

It’s an obvious safety tip but bear in mind that using electrical appliances with damp hands can be dangerous too.

They should be at least a foot away from walls and not placed near curtains or on unlevel surfaces.

It will keep you safe and following the instructions will improve the performance of your device.

Counterfeit items are a leading cause of electrical shocks and fires. Only buy your devices, batteries and chargers from a reputable supplier.