Gas Safety in Your Home

If you smell gas

If you think you can smell gas, or suspect a gas or carbon monoxide leak, call the National Gas Emergency Helpline immediately on 0800 111999. Do not use your phone within the property.

If it is safe to do so, you should also:

• switch off all your gas appliances
• open all windows and doors to ventilate your home
• turn off the gas supply at the mains (there’s usually a large lever next to the gas meter)
• evacuate the property immediately and wait for advice from the emergency services
• get immediate medical help; you may have been affected by carbon monoxide
• arrange a safety inspection and any necessary repairs with your local gas contractor.

Your free annual gas safety check

If you have gas heating or gas appliances in your home, we are required by law to carry out a gas safety check, our approved gas contractor will complete this inspection every year. The contractors will also test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Your appointment letter will arrive about 10 months after your last gas safety check.  Please take note of the date of the visit.

Gas safety checks and servicing protect you, your family and your neighbours.

Please help us by letting us into your home on the first arranged appointment.  If you cannot make the appointment for any reason, please contact us so that we rearrange it.

If we are not able to complete your gas service and safety check after several appointments, we will request court permission to force entry to your property.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

You can’t see, taste, or smell carbon monoxide, but it can kill you.

When fuel is burnt a small amount of poisonous carbon monoxide gas is produced. However, properly functioning gas appliances only produce tiny, safe amounts.

If your appliances aren’t maintained, the amount of carbon monoxide they create could increase. Using them would then become a dangerous risk. Appliances include:

boilers

cookers

heaters

fireplaces.

Dangerous signs to look out for

yellow or orange flames (except for fuel-effect fires, which display this colour flame)

soot or stains around appliance

pilot lights that often blow out.

You will have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. If you have any concerns about your detector please contact 0800 585360.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

feeling light-headed, dizzy or sleepy

being short of breath

headaches

nausea

chest or stomach pains.

If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning you should switch off any fuel-burning appliance, open your windows to get as much fresh air in as possible, and seek urgent medical help.