National Grid : pipes up for gas safety

27 Aug 2015

• Team to spread the message about carbon monoxide safety
• Mascots Alec the metallic main and Polly the plastic pipe raise awareness

National Grid Hinckley staff will be joining the carnival this weekend to spread the message about carbon monoxide safety.

With the help of mascots 'Alec' the metallic main and 'Polly' the polyethylene (plastic) pipe and their trusty National Grid van, the seven-strong team will be advising fun-seekers at Sunday's (30 August) Hinckley Carnival how to keep safe this winter.

They will be handing out information, advice and goodies on how to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained gas appliances can leak deadly carbon monoxide gas.

Known as the 'silent killer', some 40 people a year die of carbon monoxide poison poisoning and it can cause serious long term health problems. However, National Grid has three simple life-saving tips to keep people safe:

• Ensure gas appliances are installed, maintained and fixed by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• Get your gas appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer
• As a backup, buy and install an audible carbon monoxide detector. They can be bought for as little as £15 and could save your life

Leanne Thomasson, of National Grid's Data Assurance team, is organising the National Grid team. She said: "As we head into autumn we tend to start using central heating again and our gas appliances more.

"But people may be unaware of problems with appliances that haven't been used for a while until they hit the 'on' button so we'll be giving advice on how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and the danger signs and symptoms to look out for.

"National Grid in Hinckley runs the National Gas Emergency Service. We take 1.5 million gas emergency calls a year, including calls about carbon monoxide. If you think you have a carbon monoxide leak in your home or business call 0800 111 999 immediately."

Ends

Pictured left to right: Abbie Whines (as Alec the metallic main); Roy Bennett; and Taneth Taylor (as Polly the plastic pipe).