Kent customers urged not to cut corners with gas safety
It is as people try to save money as the cost-of-living crisis continues
People across Kent are being urged not to cut costs with their gas boilers - with a warning that cutting corners isn’t worth the risk.
It is after a study from the Gas Safe Register found more than half of Brits have changed their spending habits over the past year as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.
51% admit trying to save money by buying cheaper goods or services, which has resulted in them having to replace items or redo the work.
Financial pressure is changing attitudes to risk, with over a third saying they were now more likely to accept safety risks than they would have a few years ago.
The study also found 16% have delayed routine gas checks and 12% would consider using unqualified engineers to save themselves some cash. 15% admit they have chosen cheaper tradespeople for home repairs despite concerns about standards.
When it comes to household work, 19% say they have cut costs for boiler servicing or gas appliance maintenance.
Despite being more likely to take risks, almost half (46%) have concerns about safety or quality when buying lower-cost items. The findings also reveal gaps in understanding, with 22% of those who failed to check a gas engineer’s credentials saying they did not realise they needed to.
Risk-taking was not limited to services, with close to a quarter opting for cheaper small electrical items despite safety concerns, while 10% did so with larger electrical appliances.
The study was commissioned by Gas Safe Register, which has teamed up with Shaunagh Brown, an ex-England Rugby Union player, former Kent firefighter and former Gas Safe registered engineer, to highlight the dangers of cutting corners.
Shaunagh says: “Working as an engineer showed me first-hand how important it is to do things properly.
“I understand why people are looking to save money right now, but when it comes to gas work and essential safety checks, cutting corners simply isn’t worth the risk.
“The short-term savings can quickly turn into much bigger costs - or worse, put your household in danger.
“It’s about making informed choices and making sure the people working in your home are properly qualified and legally registered.”