What To Do in a Gas Emergency: Essential Steps and Safety Tips
Immediate Actions If You Smell Gas
Acting quickly in a gas emergency can be lifesaving. Follow these steps immediately if you suspect a gas leak:
- Get Fresh Air Immediately: Open all doors and windows to ventilate the area. Fresh air will help disperse the gas and reduce the risk of inhalation or explosion.
- Turn Off the Emergency Control Valve: Locate the gas shut-off valve at the meter and turn it off. If the meter is in a basement, cellar, or near an LPG bulk tank or storage vessels, it’s safer to leave it alone and evacuate the area instead.
- Extinguish All Naked Flames: Put out any open flames, including stoves and candles, and avoid smoking. Even a small spark can ignite the gas.
- Avoid Using Electrical Switches: Don’t operate any electrical switches, including lights. The smallest spark from flipping a switch could ignite the gas.
- Contact the National Gas Emergency Service: Call the relevant emergency number for your area immediately (see the section below for details).
- Follow Operative Advice: If an emergency operative identifies an issue with your gas appliances, follow their guidance. Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to repair the appliance and confirm it’s safe to use.
- Seek Medical Attention if Unwell: If you’re feeling lightheaded, nauseous, or have headaches, seek medical help immediately and inform the doctor that you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide.
- Do Not Turn the Gas Supply Back On: Wait until a Gas Safe registered engineer has inspected your system and confirmed it’s safe before turning the gas back on.
Who to Call During a Gas Leak
If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, you must contact the appropriate emergency service immediately. Here’s who to call based on your location and the type of gas involved:
| Country | Natural Gas (NG) | Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) | Towns Gas/Mains Gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| England, Wales, Scotland | 0800 111 999 | Contact number on bulk storage vessel or meter* | N/A |
| Northern Ireland | 0800 002 001 | Contact number on bulk storage vessel or meter* | N/A |
| Isle of Man | 0808 1624 444 | 0808 1624 444 | 0808 1624 444 |
| Guernsey | N/A | 01481 749000 | 01481 749000 |
| Jersey | N/A | 01534 755555 | 01534 755555 |
*For bulk and metered LPG supplies, use the contact number provided on the storage vessel or meter. If you have cylinder supplies, check your local directory. On caravan sites or boats, the site owner or operator may have gas safety responsibilities.
**Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man use a manufactured LPG/air mixture called “mains gas” or “towns gas.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Gas Leaks
What Symptoms Could a Gas Leak Cause?
Physical symptoms can be early indicators of a gas leak. Common symptoms include:
- Feeling lightheaded
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headaches
If you experience any of these symptoms, get to fresh air immediately and contact the emergency helpline.
What Does a Gas Leak Smell Like?
Natural gas is odorless, but mercaptan, a harmless chemical, is added to give it a distinctive sulfur-like smell, often compared to rotten eggs. This strong odor is your first warning of a gas leak. However, carbon monoxide (CO), which can also leak from gas appliances, is odorless and requires a CO detector to identify its presence.
Who Can Check for a Gas Leak?
While anyone can detect a gas leak by its smell or a CO detector alarm, only a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer should confirm the leak and carry out any necessary repairs.
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