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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To beg and plead for help?

28 replies

Notpractical · 11/12/2016 01:35

Having an awful day.

Nc for this.

Carbon monoxide detector gone off, called emergency gas people they've turned gas off.

Thing is child disabled and I NEED hot water and heating!

Emergency chap couldn't answer my questions about reconnection (he thinks chances are it was a false alarm but he's required to turn off).

I can maybe just manage for next day or so but really would be a problem if it went on for too long.

I googled of course but all I'm getting is horror stories but mainly where the gas was cut off for bill problems.

Can not find on the British Gas official site/s any info on this. It's all making me very very worried.

Can anyone help please?

OP posts:
LilQueenie · 11/12/2016 01:43

if you child is under a certain age there is a law that states they cannot leave you without heating. Call your gas supplier and let them know or possibly council. I'm sure it was someone from the council who told me this.

Graphista · 11/12/2016 02:24

What age is that can I ask?

MrsTerryPratchett · 11/12/2016 02:27

Do you have a SW? I used to find SS calling utilities would get shit done quickly!

Original poster
Notpractical · 11/12/2016 02:30

I don't currently. We're not in enough need apparently. But thanks for the idea. Worth considering. Child is a teen so I'm guessing not eligible for the age thing

OP posts:
NotStoppedAllDay · 11/12/2016 02:36

Carbon monoxide is a killer... you don't mess around with it. They've done the right thing

It's down to you to get your appliances tested or replaced now. Not British gas! They supply the gas. But what's at fault,a boiler?

LilQueenie · 11/12/2016 02:47

sorry Op think the child has to be under 5 or around that age. do you have an electric cooker? at the very least you could boil water in a pot and use hot water bottles as an emergency. Perhaps check on gumtree/fb any free sites for a small heater. Hopefully the gas is back on soon. It's happened to me and it is annoying to say the least.

Mummyoflittledragon · 11/12/2016 03:07

Can you afford an oil filled radiator? Our boiler was turned off a couple of years ago for over a week just before Christmas a couple of years ago when it was really really cold. We bought a big oil filled radiator, 2.5 or 3 kilowatts turned it on full blast permanently and it was great. It was a bit over a hundred pounds. Smaller ones start much lower and there are some good deals online. We have an immersion heater for hot water. I take it you have a combi boiler so lots of kettle boiling unfortunately.

Original poster
Notpractical · 11/12/2016 03:23

Notstopped I'm not disputing that they did right thing. I'm just worried about how long from now. Also I'm a renter so the appliances etc not my responsibility. It was all checked just a few weeks ago.

Guy who came out says he thinks false alarm. He checked boiler etc all working fine and seemed safe but he's not allowed to take chance which I get.

OP posts:
Bogeyface · 11/12/2016 03:30

Then you need to make a call to your Landlord first thing tomorrow. Its up to them to get this sorted ASAP. If you get mucked about with then call Shelter as they can help you with your legal rights etc.

salsmum · 11/12/2016 03:32

Call your local carers support centre or adult s s who will have an out of hours duty social worker to answer calls ( call via your local council) or maybe environmental health can I ask if your SN teen has mobility issues and finds it hard to maintain body temperature because this obviously makes a big difference too? Good luck op I'm a DM to a DD with cerebral palsy.

Original poster
Notpractical · 11/12/2016 03:33

Got a small fan heater. Electric cooker. It's mainly hot water that concerns me as my child is prone to infections, currently ill so personal hygiene important.

OP posts:
salsmum · 11/12/2016 03:33

Sorry meant to say I've been without heating and hot water in the winter and it's grim.

Original poster
Notpractical · 11/12/2016 03:35

My child not severely disabled but yes includes mobility issues.

Thank you for the advice which I will follow asap.

OP posts:
salsmum · 11/12/2016 03:38

Good luck FlowersFlowers

HelenaDove · 11/12/2016 18:22

Have you contacted your landlord OP. How did you get on?

mybumdoeslookbiginthis · 11/12/2016 18:29

The rules are

Child under 5
Adult over 60
Or disabled

I work for 1 of the BIG 6 energy suppliers. You should be offered an emergency appointment once the gas supply is safe but it can be anytime within the next 24 hours. This is called an ESO or an emergency service order.

Good luck OP x

Original poster
Notpractical · 11/12/2016 18:29

Yes someone coming tomorrow

OP posts:
Scooby20 · 11/12/2016 18:50

Who capped the gas? I assume it was the transporter (national grid for example) rather than British gas or your supplier.

The appliances need to be tested. Then you can look at reconnection. Your supplier is going to be no help.

The emergency chap won't have been from your supplier. If you called your supplier they will have reported it but the engineer wouldn't be one of theirs.

HelenaDove · 11/12/2016 18:59

Are you private landlord or HA OP?

crashdoll · 11/12/2016 19:20

Ok firstly, don't panic. Just because the emergency guy didn't know, doesn't mean that it won't be tomorrow or the day after. Phone first thing, explain you have a disabled child and I think you'll find they will come out.

crashdoll · 11/12/2016 19:23

Oh, I missed that someone is coming tomorrow. I think you're panicking prematurely then.

BravoPanda · 11/12/2016 19:58

If your shower is electric it will heat the water on it's own. If you want to run a bath take the shower head off and run hose in to bath. Electric heaters can be rented or provided by the landlord if you rent, they have to be provided within the times stated in your rental agreement. Normally 12/24hrs though as an emergency with a disabled child in residence then it should be within 3/6hrs in winter, though if the boiler is being checked tomorrow then tbh I wouldn't hold my breath. If it's your own property and you have British Gas boiler cover then they normally come out as an emergency asap with children/disabled in the property?

blueturtle6 · 11/12/2016 20:08

Check with the gas company, I've been offer electric heaters as has a one year old child. Hopefully they will.prioritise you.

latika · 11/12/2016 20:44

Our local fire brigade will lend out heaters when heating is broken. I'm in the north east might be worth while giving yours a call

Original poster
Notpractical · 11/12/2016 21:03

Found my old halogen heater still works yay! Good to know about shower didn't know that.

It was 'official' emergency no I called no idea who they sent. LL has some kind of policy with British Gas where they deal with emergencies like this (not last nights but the reconnection side of things) that's what's been arranged for tomorrow.

Not supplier they're a whole other issue!

Private renter

OP posts:
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