Housing

Gas and electrical maintenance contractor Powerminster Gleeson Services is working with Derbyshire County Council on a programme of installation of gas detectors for tenants.

The detectors are part of the council’s commitment to protecting elderly and vulnerable tenants, particularly those who are suffering with dementia. They are designed for installation in the kitchen above a gas oven and in this case will be installed in the property of an elderly lady with dementia.

Sharon O’Hara, planning project manager at Derbyshire County Council, said: “The gas detectors are part of a number of measures designed to protect our residents, within an ongoing programme of safety measures.

“The arrangement is working well, as it promotes independent living and means a resident can use a gas cooker for longer than they could otherwise. The detectors are being very well received by residents and their families, as they provide extra peace of mind and reassurance that their loved ones are safe.”

Derbyshire County Council tenant Colin Williams said: “The Powerminster engineer explained how the detector works and it will be really useful for Margaret (who lives here) in case the gas is left on, in which case an alarm will sound. If this happened, an emergency number would be called on and someone would call round to check she was OK.”

Powerminster Gleeson Services installs the detectors above the gas oven. If the oven is not lit properly, or a hob is left on, an alarm is raised at a monitoring centre and then a relative or neighbour is contacted immediately.

www.gleesonservices.co.uk