RESIDENTS in Oxford have been urged to get a gas safety check before the cold weather sets in.

The city council especially called on its own tenants this week to book an appointment with its team at ODS.

The council said: "It’s more than a legal requirement – checking the safety of gas equipment saves lives.

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"As we head towards winter and householders start to turn their central heating on it becomes even more important to be sure that their boilers are safe."

ODS employs eight staff to carry out gas safety checks in council properties.

Between July and September they completed 1945 checks across the city to make sure the appliances are safe and council tenants are protected from risks arising from carbon monoxide exposure or gas explosion.

The gas safety staff maintain strict social distancing and wear protective equipment as they carry out this work, including measures to shield tenants.

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The safety measures are all in line with advice from the government, Health and Safety Executive and Gas Safe Register, so tenants and staff are kept safe during the coronavirus crisis.

Paul Concannon, ODS director of property services, said: “I would like to thank residents on behalf of ODS for their continued support in allowing us to carry out these essential gas safety checks.

"We make every effort to improve the delivery of our services and ensure that tenants continue to feel safe and satisfied with our work.”

To make an appointment to have gas appliances safety-checked email gasteam@odsgroup.co.uk or phone 01865 249811.