Stay safe this semester with Dr Karl Kennedy!

The start of the new academic year is upon us and hundreds of thousands of students are moving into their new private rented accommodation. Most student digs are not exactly luxurious – they’re often damp, leaking and have the seemingly obligatory ageing gas cooker and pile of dirty dishes.

And it appears students never change – most are more concerned about where their next pint is coming from than how safe their new surroundings are.

Recent research by National Grid found that four in ten students (43%) wouldn’t know how to minimise the risk of an explosion if they smelt gas, and worryingly just one in seven (16%) rate having a fire alarm as one of most important things when selecting accommodation. Instead they’re more concerned about whether the nearest club is in crawling distance. The majority also struggle to recognise the five indicators of CO poisoning - despite the silent, odourless gas having the ability to cause brain damage and even death.

So if you don’t know where your fuse box is, or think a gas safety certificate is something that should be issued to your flatmate after they’ve eaten beans on toast - then you need some safety advice from everyone’s favourite TV doctor!

To stay safe this term, watch our video for some handy tips from Alan Fletcher, aka Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours. Also, search National Grid Student Union on Facebook to see Alan giving his advice on University life - dating, saving money, staying safe - and even playing the guitar!

For more information, visit National Grid Student Union on Facebook or visit nationalgrid.com/uk .