What to do in a gas emergency

When it comes to seasonal gas safety, winter is the time of year most people think about. As the temperatures plummet and frost forms on the car it’s the time when the heating gets turned up to the max and your gas appliances are put under the most stress.

If a gas appliance has been badly fitted or poorly serviced, potential risks include gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Here’s what to do if you smell gas or suspect it’s CO poisoning.

• Get fresh air immediately; make sure you open all doors and windows to ventilate the area.
• 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.
• Extinguish all naked flames and don’t smoke.
• Don’t operate electrical switches (including turning light switches on or off) because this can ignite escaping gas.
• Contact the National Gas Emergency service by calling 0800 111 999.
• 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.
• If you’re feeling unwell, visit your GP or hospital immediately and let them know you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide.
• Don’t turn the gas supply on again until it’s been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• Once the emergency service has been notified, report the incident to Housing Management by calling 0800 137 111.

For further information please visit the Gas Safe Register webpage here.