Sophy Henn lives and works in Sussex. She writes and illustrates children's books in her studio, with a large cup of tea by her side. She has just launched a new Bad Nana book for the Gas Safe Register to keep families (and the older people they care for) safe.
Bad Nana
Bad Nana is really a bit of a superhero, and her antics in ‘Better Gas Safe Than Sorry’, show just how heroic she can be….you can read the full book here bit.ly/Gas-Safe-Story .
From Sophy:
My main hope for my children's books is that they reassure and empower the reader. Though I don't always start from that point, books can grow from one word, start with a doodle or, if I am lucky, the thread of a story. But by the end, when I stop and step back, those themes are always there. So, to be asked to create a short Bad Nana story for Gas Safety Week was a joy.
Delivering key safety information to children, parents, grandparents, carers, guardians and teachers about gas safety in a memorable way has been a wonderful thing to do. And my hope is, that along with a few laughs, they finish the book feeling empowered and reassured about what to look out for and what to do should they spot any warning signs.
The process has been doubly thrilling as Bad Nana was originally created as a comic for my daughter and designed to show her that women could be old but also funny, mischievous, brave, silly, confident and capable. So to have her delivering this message is sort of like empowerment squared, I think!
So, to spread this empowerment and reassurance about a little more, here are my seven gas safety tips....
Keep an eye out for the signs your appliances are working correctly - such as sooty marks on your cooker and boiler, sooty marks on your pans and kettle (if it is a stove top), yellow and floppy flames on your cooker and lots and lots of condensation. If you spot any of these signs get your appliances checked immediately.
Learn to lookout for the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning...headaches, upset tummy, feeling hungover and in extreme cases loss of consciousness. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, get yourself and everyone out of the house immediately.
If there is gas emergency call the gas emergency people on 0800 111 999
Make sure everyone in the house is familiar with the warning signs and what to do if they spot them.
But to avoid the situations above....
Always always use a proper Gas Safe Registered engineer to fit your boiler, fire and cooker, and also for any repairs to your gas appliances.
Remember to carry out regular boiler checks, also using a Gas Safe Registered engineer. Find one at GasSafeRegister.co.uk
Get a carbon monoxide alarm as carbon monoxide is really rather nasty and doesn’t smell, so can be hard to detect.
About Sophy Henn Sophy Henn lives and works in Sussex. She writes and illustrates children's books in her studio, with a large cup of tea by her side. Where Bear?, her first book, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the Kate Greenaway medal. Since then, she’s created the irresistible, award winning Pom Pom series, and well-loved titles Edie and Super Duper You among others. In 2018, Sophy created the first of her new chapter book series - Bad Nana: Older Not Wiser, recently shortlisted for a Lollies 2020 award. It has recently been joined by Bad Nana: All the fun of the fair, and just about to be released Bad Nana: That’s Snow Business! Her Pom Pom gets the Grumps book, about a little panda who gets out of bed on the wrong side, was read by Mark Ronson just last week as the CBeebies bedtime story. She was also the World Book Day Illustrator for 2015 and 2016.
About Bad Nana
Bad Nana is a wickedly funny fiction series, told through the eyes of 7 3/4-year-old Jeanie and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books. Jeanie’s Grandma is BAD. Not bad like a vampire or a gangster or anything, more like . . . up to no good or a little bit cheeky. Sometimes she can be a bit embarrassing but most of the time she’s REALLY fun and she often uses her mischievous powers for good...taking bossy boots down a peg or two or standing up to bullies. Because underneath it all Bad Nana is really a bit of a superhero, and her antics in ‘Better Gas Safe than Sorry’, a short story for the Gas Safe Register show just how heroic she can be.