What to do if you smell gas
It’s crucial to act quickly in a gas emergency. These are the steps you need to take to stay safe:
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Get fresh air immediately; make sure you open all doors and windows to ventilate the area.
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Turn off the gas emergency control valve (also called gas emergency shut off valve) at the meter, unless the meter is located in a basement or cellar or at the LPG bulk tank or storage vessels.
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Extinguish all naked flames and don’t smoke.
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Don’t operate electrical switches (including turning light switches on or off) because this can ignite escaping gas.
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Contact the relevant National Gas Emergency service number for your area. We’ve listed these numbers in the next section.
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If the attending emergency operative identifies an issue with any gas appliances, follow their advice concerning the use of the equipment. Where advised, contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to fix the appliance and check it’s safe.
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If you’re feeling unwell, visit your GP or hospital immediately and let them know you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide.
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Don’t turn the gas supply on again until it’s been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Who to call in a gas emergency
If you smell gas, want to report a gas leak or require gas emergency services, there’s a free, 24-hour National Gas Emergency Helpline you can call.
The gas emergency number you need depends on where in the UK you’re based and the type of gas that’s involved:
https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/gas-emergency/what-to-do-in-a-gas-emergency/
What symptoms could a gas leak cause?
One of the first indicators of a gas leak is often the smell, however, there are some physical symptoms that may be experienced.
The most common symptoms include:
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Feeling lightheaded
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Nausea
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Dizziness
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Headaches
If you suspect a gas leak and have any of the above symptoms, please go outside into fresh air immediately and call the appropriate gas emergency helpline.
Who can check for a gas leak?
Although anyone can check for a gas leak by way of the smell it gives off or, in the case of carbon monoxide, a CO detector activates – any confirmation and gas work should be completed by a competent Gas Safe registered engineer.
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