Homeowners are being warned about the increased risks of gas-related fires on Christmas day.

More than a third of people in Merseyside have not had their gas appliances checked this year meaning thousands of homeowners could be living with a ticking gas time bomb.

Mum-of-two, Chloe Weir, 23 was exposed to high levels of Carbon Monoxide over Christmas last year after suffering from dizziness, headaches and fatigue, she said: “The gas man told us that dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide were being detected from our home.

“Our gas supply was immediately shut off and it was identified that our boiler was unsafe as it was leaking carbon monoxide just metres away from where my children slept – who were just three and seven months old at the time.”

Gas Safe are issuing these top tips on how to safely check your boiler:

• Only employ a legal Gas Safe registered engineer when having gas work carried out in your home, to find one call 0800 408 5500 or visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk

• “Trust the Triangle” and always ask to see your engineer’s Gas Safe ID card. Make sure you check the back of the card which will state which gas appliances they are qualified to work on.

• Sign up for a reminder service to make sure your gas appliances are checked annually: www.staygassafe.co.uk

• Speak to your energy supplier to see if they can provide a free gas safety check.

• If you smell gas or think there might be a gas leak, call the free 24-hour national gas emergency number immediately on 0800 111 999.

More fires caused by gas appliances take place on Christmas day more than any other day of the year and Gas Safe Register find a higher proportion of dangerous gas appliances in December than any other month.

In Merseyside only 6% of adults remember to have a gas appliance safety check on their December to do list in the run up to Christmas with more people prioritising watching their favourite festive film over the safety of their family.

Chief executive at Gas Safe Register, Jonathan Samuel said: “Although Christmas is a very busy time of year, it is really important your gas appliances have been checked and are running safely.

“With our data showing that December can be dangerous for homeowners, Gas Safe Register is reminding people in Wirral to get their annual gas safety checks in the diary so this Christmas is a safe and enjoyable time.”