Gas heaters need to be professionally installed and serviced by a trained and qualified gasfitter. An unsafe heater can cause a house fire or pollute your home with dangerous fumes including carbon monoxide.
Have your gas heater serviced at least every 2 years by a qualified gasfitter, to help keep your family safe.
Gas heater safety alerts
Some gas heaters have been identified as posing a serious health risk. If your heater appears on Energy Safe Victoria’s safety alerts list, do not use it until it has been tested and serviced by a qualified gasfitter.
Health problems linked to faulty gas heaters
A faulty gas heater can cause serious health problems. Health problems that seem to be worse or only occur when the heating is on may be caused by carbon monoxide from a faulty gas heater.
Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless. High levels of carbon monoxide in the air are very dangerous and may cause people to pass out or even die.
The following people are at increased risk from air pollutants, including carbon monoxide:
- children
- pregnant women and their unborn babies
- older people
- people with chronic illnesses such as heart and lung disease.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- tiredness
- shortness of breath
- headaches
- dizziness
- nausea
- weakness
- confusion
- chest pain.
Long-term exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can also lead to impaired thinking and concentration, emotional changeability, irritability and impulsiveness.
