With instant hot water and central heating in the majority of our homes, it is easy to take for granted that our boilers, fires and stoves are safe to use.   Use these tips for gas safety in the home and ensure that your appliances remain safe to use: 1. Always use a Gas Safety registered engineer to fit, fix and service your gas appliances- it is against the law to allow non-registered people to do this. 2. Always check the ID of the engineer, including the back of the card which states what they are trained to do. 3. Have your boiler, gas cookers and other appliances safety checked every year. 4. As well as smoke alarms, install a carbon monoxide alarm in your home. Carbon Monoxide poisoning kills over 50 people a year in the UK alone and is known as the "Silent Killer" as it has no odour, colour or taste. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness and in severe cases, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness. 5. Check for warning signs that your appliance may not be working properly. These include seeing yellow flames instead of blue ones, condensation in the room and black marks around the appliance.  6. Always use the appliance correctly for the right purposes. For example, do not use an outdoor gas-powered bbq to heat an inside room. 7. Make sure air vents and air supplies are not blocked to allow the appliance to burn correctly. Ensure there is always enough air ventilation in the room where the appliance is being used. 8. Report anyone who is falsely working without the correct registration. Advice on what to do if you some across this by calling the Gas Safety Register on 0800 408 5500. From: http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk