I Can Smell Gas, What Do I Do?

Knowing how to react when you smell gas is of utmost importance for property owners or tradesmen. By taking action immediately you could prevent any issues from escalating, no matter how small it seems you never know what it could lead to.

Why Does Gas Smell?

Gas itself is actually odourless, but since a gas leak can be incredibly dangerous, energy providers add a chemical called mercaptan to their supplies to enable people to detect the smell. It is often likened to the smell of rotten eggs or smelly socks.

What To Do

If you suspect a gas leak in your home or site, there are a number of do’s and don’ts you should abide by in order to keep yourself and your colleagues or other residents as safe as possible.

DO:

• Open your doors and windows to ventilate the property and allow fresh air in
• Turn off the gas at the mains and shut off the supply completely
• Vacate the property and alert neighbouring properties, especially if you live within a block rather than a detached property
• Phone the National Gas Emergencies number on 0800 111 999 from a mobile phone OUTSIDE of the property and follow any advice given by the emergency adviser.
• Wait outside for the gas engineer to arrive and only re-enter once given the all clear by a professional.

DON’T:

• Smoke or light a match – any naked flame around gas can cause an explosion
• Turn any electrical switches off or on – this can ignite the gas around you
• Use your doorbell, mobile phone or any electrical switch that could cause a spark.

Will I Feel Ill from a Gas Leak exposure?

Leaking gas can present some physical symptoms if you have come into contact with it or breathed too much in.

These symptoms can include:

• headache
• fatigue
• dizziness, nausea and vomiting
• blurred vision
• confusion
• shortness of breath and loss of consciousness

Usually, your symptoms will reduce when you leave the property. If you have any of these symptoms but cannot smell gas, it may be evidence of a carbon monoxide leak, which is potentially more severe and needs attention immediately. If you experience any symptoms,, ensure you visit your GP or hospital immediately, and make it known that you may have been exposed to a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Preventing Gas Leaks

There are a few simple steps you can complete to help reduce the possibility of any gas leaks in your property.

This includes:

• Making sure your gas appliances are fitted by a Gas Safe Engineer. You can find a registered engineer on the Gas Safe Register.
• Complete regular maintenance on gas appliances carried out by a certified gas professional.
• Buy a gas detector alarm that will work similarly to a smoke alarm and alert you of a gas leak.
• Ensure your landlord provides a gas safety certificate if you are residing in a rented property.
• Finally, you could also install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Carbon monoxide does not smell and can be fatal, so it can never hurt to take these precautions.

For more information about gas pipe and the gas products we stock, take a look here. For more information, get in touch with our expert team today.