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What to do if…
you notice a gas-like smell near an appliance and suspect a gas leak

Short answer

Get everyone into fresh air, avoid anything that could spark, and call the National Gas Emergency number from outside: 0800 111 999. If there’s an immediate threat to life (fire/explosion, someone collapses, you can’t evacuate safely), call 999 once you’re outside.

Do not do these things

  • Do not turn lights or appliances on or off, or use doorbells/plug sockets if you can avoid it.
  • Do not smoke, vape, light matches/candles, or use any naked flames.
  • Do not try to “find the leak” with a flame, or by dismantling an appliance.
  • Do not stay inside to “see if it goes away”, even if the smell is faint.
  • Do not enter a cellar/basement to reach a gas meter or valve.
  • Do not re-enter the property until you’re told it’s safe by the gas emergency engineer (or emergency services if they attended).

What to do now

  1. Stop using the appliance immediately. If it’s safe and within reach, turn the appliance controls to off without doing anything else.
  2. Open doors and windows to ventilate as you leave (don’t linger to do this if the smell is strong).
  3. Get everyone out into fresh air (including pets). If you’re in a block of flats, move to a safe outdoor area away from the building.
  4. Avoid sparks: don’t use electrical switches, phones, or anything that could create a spark until you are outside.
  5. Call the National Gas Emergency number from outside: 0800 111 999 (free, 24/7). Follow their instructions.
  6. Only if you can do it quickly and safely on your way out, and the meter is not in a cellar/basement, consider turning off the gas at the emergency control valve (ECV) by the gas meter. If you’re not sure where it is, or it would mean going deeper into the property, skip this and leave.
  7. If there’s an immediate danger to life (for example: fire, explosion, someone collapses, severe breathing problems), call 999 from outside.
  8. If anyone feels unwell (headache, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness), keep them in fresh air. Call 999 if symptoms are severe, worsening, or someone collapses.
  9. If you’re renting or in managed housing: once you’re safe and the gas emergency call is made, notify your landlord/agent/building manager that a gas emergency has been reported and you’re awaiting the gas emergency engineer.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide “who’s at fault” or argue about repairs right now.
  • You do not need to troubleshoot the boiler/cooker, run tests, or search for the source.
  • You do not need to gather belongings beyond essentials you can safely take as you leave.

Important reassurance

Smelling gas can be frightening, and it’s normal to freeze or second-guess yourself—especially if it’s faint. Taking the “get out, avoid sparks, call from outside” path is a safe default.

Scope note

This is first-step guidance for the first minutes and hours. After the immediate risk is controlled, next steps (repairs, landlord contact, insurance, appliance servicing) may need qualified help.

Important note

This is general safety information, not professional advice. If you suspect a gas leak, treat it as urgent and follow the emergency operator’s instructions.

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