What to do if you smell gas in your home
If you smell gas:
DO:
- Immediately turn off your mains supply – next to your gas meter
- Open doors and windows
- Once outside, call the gas emergency number 0800 111 999
DO NOT:
- Use matches, naked flames or cigarettes
- Use electrical switches – DO NOT TURN ON YOUR LIGHTS
- Use mobile phones inside the building
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas. You can’t see, taste or smell it, but it can be fatal. If an appliance that burns gas, oil, coal or wood isn’t working properly, it may give off carbon monoxide. This can also happen if the appliance is in a room with poor ventilation or a blocked chimney or flue.
To help prevent a build-up of carbon monoxide, you can:
- Keep your home well-ventilated: never block flues or paper over air vents
- Have any chimneys regularly swept and keep them clear
- Use a carbon monoxide detector that complies with BS 7860, and never rely entirely on these devices
Carbon monoxide danger signs:
- Flames that normally burn blue are burning orange or yellow
- Sooty stains on or just above appliances
- Coal or wood fires that burn slowly or go out
Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause the following:
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Chest pains
- Giddiness
- Sickness, diarrhoea or stomach pains.
If you have any of these symptoms and think carbon monoxide may be involved, switch off all your appliances and call your doctor immediately.
If you are concerned about any gas appliance, please call us on 01594 838 000.
Useful Contacts
For gas appliances:
Gas Safety Advice Line: 0800 300 363 or visit www.hse.gov.uk/gas
For Gas Safe Engineers:
Gas Safety Register: 0800 408 5500 or visit www.gassafetyregister.co.uk
For solid fuel, coal and wood appliances:
Solid Fuel Association: 0845 601 4406 or visit www.solidfuel.co.uk
For oil appliances:
Oil Firing Technical Association: 0845 65 85 080 or visit www.oftec.org
Your own gas applicances
You must have our consent before fitting a new gas appliance. You must also use a Gas Safety Registered engineer to fit the appliance, have it serviced every year and comply with our annual checks. If you go ahead without our consent, we’ll remove the new appliance and charge you our costs for doing this.
