Gas Safety

• Preventing deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning requires the regular servicing of gas appliances and the maintenance of sufficient ventilation to the rooms containing the appliances, by the use of both dedicated flues and other means. Carbon monoxide is a product of the incomplete combustion of gas.

• Landlords are obliged to have both appliances and flues inspected every 12 months, and must keep records of inspections and of any repairs done to show to tenants, under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

• Before renting a new house or flat with a gas appliance, ask to see its maintenance record. If the appliances and flues are not subsequently examined every year, ring the Health & Safety Executive's Gas Safety Action Line - 0800 300363.

• If an appliance malfunctions (for example, it soots-up or burns with a yellow flame), or if, after using it, you experience symptoms including headache, chest pains, sickness or dizziness, stop using it straightaway and seek medical advice. Don't use the appliance again until it has been checked.

• Never, ever, block up the ventilation system in rooms containing gas appliances; that draught is good for you and is essential for the appliance to burn efficiently. You should also beware if previous occupants have sealed up potential sources of ventilation.

If you can smell gas strongly:

• Turn off the gas lever at the mains, which is next to the gas meter, by pulling the lever down.
• Don't operate electrical switches - on or off. A spark could cause an explosion.
• Open all doors and windows.
• Put out cigarettes and any naked flames.
• Avoid rooms with a strong smell of gas if possible as you may be overpowered.
• Ring the local gas emergency telephone number: 0800 111999 immediately.

If there is a weaker smell of gas...

• Check if a pilot light on a cooker, gas water heater, or gas fire has gone out, or a burner on the cooker has gone out.
• Make sure you have turned off gas knobs properly.
• If you find there is a leak, turn off the pilot light if there is a tap, or switch off gas at the mains by the gas meter.
• Put out cigarettes, naked flames and switch off electric fires.
• Open all doors and windows to let any lingering gas escape. Wait till smell of gas goes.
• Turn on gas again at the mains, if you turned if off.
• Relight the pilot light or burner.
• If the smell of gas returns, phone your local gas emergency number immediately. Treat it as a serious gas leak and follow above procedures.

Updated: 08/09/2008