TV soap star Alan Fletcher, who plays dashing Doctor Karl Kennedy on Neighbours, has teamed up with National Grid for a new campaign to make students aware of gas safety and the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The housewives’ heart-throb is also a cult figure among students, many of whom see Dr Kennedy as a father figure who dispenses sound advice to many of Neighbours’ teenage characters.

Alan was shocked at a survey that showed two out of three university students weren’t bothered about gas safety or the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, and decided to help National Grid raise awareness of the issues.

Alan explained: “I’m passionate about the university experience. For many students this is their first time away from home, and I think it’s important that they’re aware of some basic tips to make their time at university safer.”

Recent research carried out by National Grid showed students’ priorities when finding accommodation are the size of the room, and how close it is to the nearest pub.  Worryingly, nearly 50% of students didn’t know what to do to minimise the risk of a gas explosion and 58% of landlords had not provided them with a gas safety certificate for the gas appliances in their home.  So as the new term begins, students moving away from home are being reminded of the importance of gas safety.

Alan added: “With nearly 20% of students saying they would turn to Dr Karl Kennedy if they had an emergency, I can help students find out what to do and who to call if they smell gas.”

Students should remember these five simple tips if they smell gas:

• Don’t smoke or light matches
• Don’t turn electrical switches on or of
• Do open doors and windows
• Turn off the meter at the control valve (unless the smell of gas and the meter are in the cellar, as often this will need a light to be turned on)
• Call the free 24 hour national gas emergency number 0800 111 999* whether the smell is inside or outside the property.
  *Calls are recorded and may be monitored

It is equally important to be able to recognise a faulty gas appliance which could be leaking deadly carbon monoxide gas. If the pilot light blows out easily or there is a lazy yellow/orange flame instead of a blue flame, the appliance may be emitting carbon monoxide gas and must be checked by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. Students should ask their landlord for an annual gas safety certificate to prove the appliances have been checked and are in good working order. 

National Grid has launched a new “National Grid Student Union” website on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Grid-Student-Union/171066440020, where Alan appears in exclusive video clips giving his top tips for students to stay safe and have fun while at University. Messages will also be communicated across student radio stations, student union websites, bespoke emails, and sent direct to students’ mobile phones.

Alan will also be meeting many students in person this autumn as he tours universities with his band.

To find out more and get simple advice and top tips on their mobile phones, students can text ‘Grid’ to 60707. They will also be entered into a prize draw to win a year’s free rent!  Or they can log on to Facebook and join the National Grid Student Union for a chance to win a trip to one of next year’s summer music festivals.

Alan said: “National Grid’s research has highlighted the need to promote gas safety and carbon monoxide awareness to students.  Although student life is about having fun, with many thousands of students living in rented accommodation it is vital they are made aware of the dangers of CO poisoning which can be fatal. These symptoms include nausea, headaches, dizziness and shortness of breath; a bit like a really bad hangover.

“By making students aware of National Grid’s gas safety campaign and giving out some simple top tips, their actions can save lives.”

Mark Fairbairn, National Grid’s Executive Director, Gas Distribution added: “We’re taking action to tackle a potentially deadly issue by raising awareness.

“Through the campaign we are looking to target up to a million students with the start of the new term, and we hope as many as possible will visit the National Grid Student Union on Facebook to get life-saving advice and some fun tips from Alan Fletcher.”

ENDS

For further information, or photographs of Alan Fletcher and students launching the campaign, contact National Grid Media Relations on 01926 656552 or email carol.a.lloyd@uk.ngrid.com

Carbon monoxide can be produced if:

• appliances are poorly installed
• appliances are not working properly
• appliances are not checked or maintained regularly
• there is not enough ventilation in a room
• a chimney or flue gets blocked
• appliances are installed or maintained by unqualified people

What are the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?

• The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include tiredness, drowsiness, headaches, and chest and stomach pains.
• Carbon monoxide can kill within a matter of hours and people are most vulnerable to poisoning when they are asleep.
• There are some outward indications of the presence of carbon monoxide - a fire or appliance may have yellow or orange flames, the pilot light may blow out frequently and there may be soot and stains around the appliance.

Research – key findings

National

- 38% of students say a good sized bedroom and 24% of students say good access to the pub are one of the four most important things in selecting private rented accommodation.

- 43% don’t know the safety steps to take to minimise the risk of an explosion in the event of smelling gas

- 19% don’t know any of the signs of a faulty gas appliance

- 59% of students are not worried about CO poisoning.

- Only 21% have / had an audible CO alarm, 54% don’t have a gas safety certificate

- Landlords haven’t provided audible CO alarms to 84% of properties, gas safety certificates in 58% or smoke alarms in 39%

- 19% of students (and 21% of female students) would turn to Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours if they had an emergency

London

- 41% of students say a good sized bedroom and 23% of students say good access to the pub are one of the four most important things in selecting private rented accommodation

- 40% don’t know the safety steps to take to minimise the risk of an explosion in the event of smelling gas

- 23% don’t know any of the signs of a faulty gas appliance

- 41% of students are not worried about CO poisoning

- Only 26% have / had an audible CO alarm, 40% don’t have a gas safety certificate

- Landlords haven’t provided audible CO alarms to 83% of properties, gas safety certificates in 60% or smoke alarms in 51%

- 17% of students would turn to Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours if they had an emergency

South East

- 47% of students say a good sized bedroom and 32% of students say good access to the pub are one of the four most important things in selecting private rented accommodation

- 44% don’t know the safety steps to take to minimise the risk of an explosion in the event of smelling gas

- 16% don’t know any of the signs of a faulty gas appliance

- 56% of students are not worried about CO poisoning

- Only 26% have / had an audible CO alarm, 50% don’t have a gas safety certificate

- Landlords haven’t provided audible CO alarms to 79% of properties, gas safety certificates in 46% or smoke alarms in 37%

- 19% of students would turn to Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours if they had an emergency

South West

- 39% of students say a good sized bedroom and 28% of students say good access to the pub are one of the four most important things in selecting private rented accommodation

- 48% don’t know the safety steps to take to minimise the risk of an explosion in the event of smelling gas

- 18% don’t know any of the signs of a faulty gas appliance

- 61% of students are not worried about CO poisoning

- Only 24% have / had an audible CO alarm, 62% don’t have a gas safety certificate
- Landlords haven’t provided audible CO alarms to 87% of properties, gas safety certificates in 64% or smoke alarms in 47%

- 23% of students would turn to Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours if they had an emergency

East

- 49% of students say a good sized bedroom and 21% of students say good access to the pub are one of the four most important things in selecting private rented accommodation

- 42% don’t know the safety steps to take to minimise the risk of an explosion in the event of smelling gas

- 27% don’t know any of the signs of a faulty gas appliance

- 64% of students are not worried about CO poisoning

- Only 9% have / had an audible CO alarm, 44% don’t have a gas safety certificate

- Landlords haven’t provided audible CO alarms to 87% of properties, gas safety certificates in 52% or smoke alarms in 43%

- 21% of students would turn to Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours if they had an emergency

East Midlands

- 41% of students say a good sized bedroom and 24% of students say good access to the pub are one of the four most important things in selecting private rented accommodation

- 43% don’t know the safety steps to take to minimise the risk of an explosion in the event of smelling gas

- 28% don’t know any of the signs of a faulty gas appliance

- 65% of students are not worried about CO poisoning

- Only 23% have / had an audible CO alarm, 42% don’t have a gas safety certificate

- Landlords haven’t provided audible CO alarms to 88% of properties, gas safety certificates in 58% or smoke alarms in 36%

- 24% of students would turn to Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours if they had an emergency

West Midlands

- 40% of students say a good sized bedroom and 17% of students say good access to the pub are one of the four most important things in selecting private rented accommodation

- 48% don’t know the safety steps to take to minimise the risk of an explosion in the event of smelling gas

- 17% don’t know any of the signs of a faulty gas appliance

- 67% of students are not worried about CO poisoning

- Only 19% have / had an audible CO alarm, 47% don’t have a gas safety certificate

- Landlords haven’t provided audible CO alarms to 86% of properties, gas safety certificates in 57% or smoke alarms in 35%

- 19% of students would turn to Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours if they had an emergency

Yorkshire & the Humberside

- 36% of students say a good sized bedroom and 21% of students say good access to the pub are one of the four most important things in selecting private rented accommodation

- 43% don’t know the safety steps to take to minimise the risk of an explosion in the event of smelling gas

- 13% don’t know any of the signs of a faulty gas appliance

- 58% of students are not worried about CO poisoning

- Only 23% have / had an audible CO alarm, 40% don’t have a gas safety certificate

- Landlords haven’t provided audible CO alarms to 87% of properties, gas safety certificates in 64% or smoke alarms in 36%

- 18% of students would turn to Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours if they had an emergency

North West

- 37% of students say a good sized bedroom and 28% of students say good access to the pub are one of the four most important things in selecting private rented accommodation

- 43% don’t know the safety steps to take to minimise the risk of an explosion in the event of smelling gas

- 17% don’t know any of the signs of a faulty gas appliance

- 60% of students are not worried about CO poisoning

- Only 15% have / had an audible CO alarm, 44% don’t have a gas safety certificate

- Landlords haven’t provided audible CO alarms to 90% of properties, gas safety certificates in 62% or smoke alarms in 31%

- 17% of students would turn to Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours if they had an emergency

North East

- 39% of students say a good sized bedroom and 27% of students say good access to the pub are one of the four most important things in selecting private rented accommodation

- 39% don’t know the safety steps to take to minimise the risk of an explosion in the event of smelling gas

- 14% don’t know any of the signs of a faulty gas appliance

- 62% of students are not worried about CO poisoning

- Only 30% have / had an audible CO alarm, 58% don’t have a gas safety certificate

- Landlords haven’t provided audible CO alarms to 82% of properties, gas safety certificates in 42% or smoke alarms in 39%

- 25% of students would turn to Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours if they had an emergency (highest in GB)

Scotland

- 26% of students say a good sized bedroom and 19% of students say good access to the pub are one of the four most important things in selecting private rented accommodation

- 43% don’t know the safety steps to take to minimise the risk of an explosion in the event of smelling gas

- 13% don’t know any of the signs of a faulty gas appliance

- 73% of students are not worried about CO poisoning

- Only 33% have / had an audible CO alarm, 34% don’t have a gas safety certificate

- Landlords haven’t provided audible CO alarms to 66% of properties, gas safety certificates in 61% or smoke alarms in 24

- 16% of students would turn to Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours if they had an emergency

Wales

- 43% of students say a good sized bedroom and 17% of students say good access to the pub are one of the four most important things in selecting private rented accommodation

- 36% don’t know the safety steps to take to minimise the risk of an explosion in the event of smelling gas

- 26% don’t know any of the signs of a faulty gas appliance

- 66% of students are not worried about CO poisoning

- Only 14% have / had an audible CO alarm, 52% don’t have a gas safety certificate

- Landlords haven’t provided audible CO alarms to 95% of properties, gas safety certificates in 64% or smoke alarms in 43%

- 17% of students would turn to Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours if they had an emergency

National Grid

National Grid is an international electricity and gas company and one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. We play a vital role in delivering gas and electricity to millions of people across Great Britain and north-eastern US in an efficient, reliable and safe manner. We believe the power of action can play a major role in safeguarding our global environment for future generations and tackling the effects of climate change, providing all our customers with the highest standards of service through network investment and through our talented, diverse workforce.

National Grid owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales and operates the system across Great Britain. It also owns and operates the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain and its distribution business delivers gas to 11 million homes and businesses.

National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service freephone line 0800 111 999*.  

*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.