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uk Home & property emergencies gas appliance keeps going out • boiler keeps cutting out • gas fire keeps going out • cooker flame goes out • pilot light keeps going out • worried about carbon monoxide • worried about fumes • ventilation might be blocked • flue might be blocked • yellow or lazy flame gas • soot marks near appliance • smell of gas in home • appliance keeps tripping off • sudden shutdown gas heater • gas pressure problem suspected • intermittent gas supply • tenant gas safety concern • landlord gas appliance unsafe • feel dizzy when heating on • headaches at home heating on

What to do if…
a gas appliance keeps going out and you’re worried the ventilation or supply is unsafe

Short answer

Turn the appliance off and stop trying to relight/reset it. Get fresh air and, if you smell gas or suspect fumes/carbon monoxide, leave and call the National Gas Emergency Helpline (0800 111 999) from outside.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep relighting the pilot / repeatedly resetting the boiler or heater “to see if it holds.”
  • Don’t block vents, air bricks, or cover grilles to “stop draughts.”
  • Don’t run the appliance “with a window cracked” as a workaround if it’s repeatedly going out.
  • Don’t operate electrical switches (including turning lights on/off) if you suspect a gas leak.
  • Don’t use a phone inside the property if you suspect a gas leak—leave first, then call from outside.
  • Don’t ignore symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, or unusual tiredness—especially if they improve when you go outside.
  • Don’t use naked flames to “test” for gas.
  • Don’t attempt DIY repairs to gas appliances or flues.

What to do now

  1. Switch the appliance off (use its control or isolation switch if you can do so calmly and safely). If it’s a boiler, stop any repeated reset attempts.
  2. Get fresh air immediately. Open doors/windows as you move out of the room. If anyone feels unwell (headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion), move everyone outside into fresh air.
  3. If you smell gas, suspect a leak, or are worried fumes/carbon monoxide may be escaping:
    • Leave the property (or affected area) immediately.
    • From outside (or a neighbour’s phone), call the National Gas Emergency Helpline: 0800 111 999 and follow instructions.
    • Only if it’s quickly accessible and you can do it without delaying leaving: turn off the gas at the emergency control valve at the meter. If the meter is in a cellar/basement or you’re unsure, leave it and wait for the emergency engineer.
    • If there is fire/explosion or immediate danger, call 999.
  4. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds: treat it as real—go outside immediately.
    • If anyone is seriously unwell (difficulty breathing, sudden confusion, collapse, severe weakness, chest pain), call 999.
    • If symptoms are milder but you’re worried you’ve been exposed, call NHS 111 for urgent medical advice and do not re-enter until you’ve had advice and the source has been checked.
  5. Arrange a Gas Safe-registered engineer to inspect the appliance and its ventilation/flue before using it again. If you rent: report it to your landlord/agent in writing and state you’ve turned the appliance off due to a safety concern.
  6. While you wait: keep vents/air bricks clear, don’t use the appliance again, and avoid using any other gas appliances that seem to be behaving oddly (flames going out, unusual smells/soot, or making you feel unwell).

What can wait

  • You don’t need to figure out the cause (flue, ventilation, pressure, thermocouple, regulator, etc.) right now.
  • You don’t need to decide today who will pay or whether it’s “landlord vs. you”—first priority is making it safe and getting it checked.
  • You don’t need to gather proof beyond a simple note of what happened (time, symptoms, any alarm sounding) if you’re stressed.

Important reassurance

It’s reasonable to treat repeated flame-out/cut-outs as a safety signal. Turning it off and getting fresh air and expert help is a cautious, normal response—many dangerous problems look like “it just keeps going out.”

Scope note

These are first steps to reduce immediate risk and get the right help involved. Faults with gas appliances, ventilation, or flues need proper inspection by a qualified engineer.

Important note

This is general safety information, not professional advice. If you think there may be a gas leak or dangerous fumes, prioritise leaving the area, getting fresh air, and contacting the emergency gas service or emergency medical help.

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