Safe as houses

Staying safe in student accommodation

Download the National Grid Safety Video HERE.

For the majority of students, University means living away from home for the first time in rented accommodation. But with all that fun and freedom it’s easy to forget that you’re now responsible for looking out for your own safety in your new home.

And although you might just put it down to the stresses of a new workload, symptoms such as headaches or tiredness could be indicative of a preventable problem - Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is colourless, odourless, tasteless and potentially lethal.

As a responsible organisation and leaders in our field, National Grid wants to make sure that all students are made aware of the dangers of CO poisoning, how it can be prevented and what to do in a gas emergency.

Fortunately for you and your flatmates, your landlord is required to safeguard your accommodation, and you should ensure you have an up-to-date CORGI gas safety check certificate to show the boiler has been serviced and is in good working order.

You could be at risk if:

* Your appliance was poorly installed

* Your appliance is not working properly

* Your appliance has not been checked for safety or maintained regularly

* There is not enough fresh air in the room

* Your chimney or flue gets blocked up

* Non-CORGI registered engineers have installed or maintained your appliance

If you suspect you are at risk from CO poisoning, or if you think you can smell gas, follow these simple steps:

* Do not smoke or light matches

* Do not turn electrical switches on or off

* Open doors and windows

* Turn off the meter at the control valve unless the meter is in the cellar