Brits urged to tick gas safety off their spring to-do list

With two months to go until the expected lifting of lockdown measures in June, the nation is determined to tackle its household tasks. And Gas Safe Register is encouraging Brits to ensure that arranging to get their annual gas appliance servicing comes top of their to-do list. However, new research from the Register has found that the top three tasks that people are ready to take on are garden maintenance (29 per cent), cleaning the windows (27 per cent) and scrubbing the oven (24 per cent), according to new research from Gas Safe Register.

When it comes to safety, just one in 10 (10 per cent) are aiming to book in a gas safety check or service this spring, and one-third admit that gas safety checks often slip to the bottom of their to-do list.

Almost half of respondents (47 per cent) admit they’ve put the chores to the back of their minds as they ‘can’t see’ them, and more than two-fifths (42 per cent) cite a lack of motivation. Aggie MacKenzie, who has been encouraging the UK to be clean, organised and tidy for two decades since appearing on Channel 4’s How Clean is Your House?, says: “Personally, I love getting the less glamorous household tasks ticked off my to-do list. But if it brings you less enjoyment, now is the time to get the sensible stuff sorted – and a gas safety check with a registered engineer should be top of that list.

“Booking in your annual service now will reduce disruption to your house in the long term. Get it booked while we are still at home, so that your summer can be that bit more carefree.”

Tackling the more ‘tedious’ tasks can be good for us. More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of Brits say they get a positive boost and a serotonin hit when they tick tasks off their list. TV behavioural psychologist Emma Kenny, who is supporting Gas Safe Register’s campaign, says we get a buzz from being sensible. “Life in lockdown has felt overwhelming and fatigue has well and truly set in. So it’s easy to understand why many of us have found it difficult to tackle those tasks we set out to do at the start of the year.

“But getting on top of your life admin is great for positive mental health and wellbeing. Knowing that you have ticked off important tasks, such as having your gas appliances checked so that you protect both yourself and your family, is a small win that makes a huge difference to all of your lives.

“Getting organised this way helps you to feel in control of your world, while ensuring the safety of the people that mean the most to you . The science clearly shows that when you feel that you are on top of your roles and responsibilities, you feel happier and more content, which is something everyone needs after the challenging year we have faced.”
Research conducted by 3Gem on behalf of Gas Safe Register among 2,000 UK respondents (aged 18+) in March/April 2021.