Even though UK families can take advantage of a strong pound, with the exchange rate against the Euro now much more favourable, it seems prevailing recessionary mindsets are encouraging many British families to take their holidays in the UK rather than abroad, with new research undertaken by Travelodge indicating that around three quarters of all British families will holiday at home this year.

Other factors reinforcing the continued popularity of ‘staycations’ are the decline of the traditional two-week holiday, which has decreased by almost 50 per cent over the last five years, with British holidaymakers now opting for a one-week holiday coupled with shorter breaks spread out throughout the year – and these are taken in the UK.

These trends also coincide with a resurgence in seaside holidays, which has seen Cornwall surge into first position as the preferred holiday destination for UK families.

All this means that hundreds of thousands of British families will be renting flats and cottages in the British Isles again this year, and the Building & Engineering Services Association has issued some timely safety advice, saying that it’s vitally important that holiday homes with gas appliances have been regularly checked and serviced.

B&ES spokesman Mark Oakes, said: “Holiday home owners or their letting agents need to be aware that if they have an old boiler or other gas appliances like cookers in their holiday accommodation some of these will be potentially dangerous.

“Gas appliances in rented accommodation should be serviced annually in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions by a Gas Safe registered installer in addition to having annual gas safety checks carried out on them.

“Anyone renting holiday accommodation in the UK should expect to see a copy of the gas safety certificate that is issued after the annual safety check, and the holidaymaker should not hesitate to contact the Health & Safety Executive if the landlord cannot provide this.

“As additional safeguards, landlords or their letting agents should supply comprehensive operating instructions for all appliances and should also fit carbon monoxide detectors.”