RESIDENTS across York and Selby have been warned to be on their guard for potentially deadly faults in their water heating systems.

City of York Council and Selby District Council have issued warnings following the tragic death of a baby in Somerset.

Ten-month-old Rhianna Hardie suffered 95 per cent burns when a faulty thermostat caused an immersion heater to explode above her cot, sending scalding water down on to her.

The inquest into the death of Rhianna, ruled that her death could have been avoided.

She would not have died had the Government informed her landlords of a similar tragedy four years earlier, according to the jury. Coroner Michael Rose, sitting in Taunton, urged anyone with a boiler with an outmoded thermostat to check their heating system for a potentially fatal fault.

The warning signs include:

* Excessively hot water coming out of hot water taps* Excessive noise or bubbling coming from the hot water cylinder* Hot water coming out of some cold taps* Steam or moisture collecting in the roof space.

Coun Gillain Ivey, the chairman of Selby District Council's social board, stressed that she did not think any local authority homes in the district would be affected.

She said: "We do not anticipate any particular problems with boiler systems in either council-owned or privately-owned or rented accommodation in this area, but it is important that everyone knows how best to protect themselves and their families.

"It is the role of Selby District Council to help inform residents of such advice.

"If you have any concerns about your heating system boiler, bearing in mind the telltale signs, you should switch off the system and contact a qualified plumber as soon as possible".

Mark Grandfield, of the City of York Council's housing team, said: "Local people with systems more than ten years old should be aware of how to spot whether their thermostat is faulty.

"They should know who to contact to get it fixed as quickly as possible.

"Homeowners should be aware and alert to the warning signs that appear when a thermostat becomes faulty.

"We want to help local residents to ensure that the right advice or remedy is made to try and prevent any future tragedies."

A spokeswoman said the council was confident it had a robust servicing programme in place.

She said all systems were checked annually, including thorough checks to thermostats.