I can smell gas — what do I do right now?
⚠️ A gas smell is an emergency. Do not use any electrical switches, light switches, or flames.
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Do NOT: use any light switches or electrical equipment, light a match or candle, use your mobile phone inside the property, or use the doorbell.
DO: get everyone out of the building immediately including pets. Leave doors open as you go to ventilate.
Once outside: call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 (free, 24/7). Tell them your address and that you can smell gas.
Turn off the gas at the emergency control valve (ECV) if you know where it is and can do so safely — it is usually next to the meter. Turn the handle 90° so it is perpendicular to the pipe (off position).
Do not return inside the building until the emergency engineer has attended, found the source, made the supply safe, and confirmed the property is safe to re-enter.
Common causes of gas smells: faulty appliance valve left partially open, failed flue, cracked boiler heat exchanger, underground pipe corrosion, or a neighbour's gas leak travelling through foundations.
After the emergency engineer visits, you will need a Gas Safe registered engineer to repair the fault before the gas supply is restored.
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