Unsafe gas appliances are most commonly found in homes that have changed hands recently, according to new analysis of the latest gas safety inspection figures carried out by Gas Safe Register. This has prompted gas safety experts to warn of a ‘new home danger zone’ for UK homeowners who may be putting on the heating in their new home for the first time this weekend as the clocks go back and darker, colder days arrive.

Of properties in which inspectors found faulty gas appliances over the past year almost half (47%) had new owners in the last five years, over a quarter (26%) had been purchased in the two years prior to the inspection, and 17% had changed hands in just the past year.

The findings are supported by new research conducted with 1700 Gas Safe registered engineers. 94% of engineers want more priority to be put on gas safety in the home moving process, with two fifths pointing to the first year of owning a property as a particular danger for home and family gas safety. Engineers put this down to new owners being unaware of key information, such as where to switch gas off in an emergency, the safety record of gas appliances and whether there is a working carbon monoxide alarm in the new home.

To help prevent potentially-fatal hazards, including gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning, that can result from unsafe gas appliances such as cookers, boilers and gas fires, Gas Safe Register has joined forces with TV presenter Dion Dublin, and major players in the homes sector, including HomeOwners Alliance, Neighbourhood Watch and RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) to highlight the ‘new home danger zone’ and help consumers be more gas safety-savvy at home, regardless of whether they’re brand new to their property or have been living there for decades.

Gas Safe Register is also pushing for gas safety advice to be given more prominence in popular home moving resources after it found that none of the top 20 home-moving guides found via Google Search mention any of the most crucial information homeowners should know about gas safety.

CEO Jonathan Samuel comments: “With the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, people may delay putting on their heating this winter. As the clocks going back often prompts people to start to use their heating, we are urging householders to get clued up on the gas safety basics now, especially if they’re approaching their first winter in a new home, or if price increases are making them consider avoiding gas safety actions they would usually take, like getting gas appliances serviced.

“Left not serviced and unchecked year-on-year, gas appliances such as cookers, fires and boilers, can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as gas leaks which – in some extreme circumstances – can lead to, fires and explosions that cost lives and shatter neighbourhoods.

“As Winter approaches, we’re urging all householders – especially new homeowners and people who are currently in the home buying process, to be aware of the signs and symptoms of unsafe gas appliances, and always making sure a Gas Safe registered engineer is used for any gas work, including for annual gas safety checks. All engineers must be qualified and listed on the Gas Safe Register. It’s time to make gas safety a priority when moving homes, so we don’t put our loved ones, new properties or even our new neighbours in danger.”