Smell of gas in the house: the correct emergency procedure
Natural gas is odourised so you notice small leaks early. The procedure below is the national guidance and it is deliberately simple, because in an emergency simple works.
Things worth knowing about a smell of gas
- 0800 111 999 is free and staffed 24 hours a day
- Do not switch anything electrical on or off inside
- Extinguish cigarettes and naked flames immediately
- Leave doors and windows open as you leave
- Report the incident to your landlord too, if you rent
A smell of gas: the short technical version
Turn the gas off at the emergency control valve by the meter if it is safe to reach. Open doors and windows. Do not operate light switches, doorbells or anything that can spark, and do not use a naked flame or a mobile phone indoors. Leave the building and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 from outside. Only a Gas Safe registered engineer should investigate afterwards.
Published business details
- Based at 24 Bristol Road, Radstock, BA3 3EE
- Telephone enquiries: 07516 118198
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm
Where we deal with this
Questions we get asked
- What if the smell is only near the boiler?
- The procedure is the same. Localised smells still need the emergency service or a Gas Safe engineer.
- Will I be charged for the emergency call?
- The emergency service call is free. They make the situation safe; repairs are then arranged separately.
Need help with a smell of gas?
Put simply: Off, out, phone. Never hunt for a gas leak yourself, and never restart appliances until they have been checked.
Jamie Crawford Heating is based at 24 Bristol Road, Radstock, BA3 3EE.
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