Make Your Home Gas Safe

As renewable energy develops year on year, an all-electric future is becoming increasingly real. For now, though, around 85% of UK households still rely on natural gas to heat their homes, and it is easy to see why. Gas central heating is simple to use, reliable and cheaper per unit of energy than electricity. 

The good news is that gas is very safe when appliances are looked after properly, but it does carry risks. This was shown by the fatal explosion in August 2026 at a home in Newton Longville, near Milton Keynes, which is still under investigation but is suspected to have been caused by a gas leak. That is why it is worth every household taking a few simple precautions. Most of them take only minutes.

The emergency control valve, also known as the emergency shut-off valve, stops the flow of gas into your property. To close it, turn the handle a quarter turn so that it sits across the pipe rather than in line with it. 

The valve usually has a red or yellow handle and is normally found in an external meter box, under the stairs, or close to where the main service pipe enters the property. Make sure everyone in the household knows where it is and only turn it off if it is safe to do so. 

If you suspect a gas leak: 

• Let fresh air in immediately, opening windows and doors.
• Extinguish all flames. Do not smoke or vape.
• Turn off the gas at the emergency control valve, if it is safe to reach it.
• Do not touch any electrical switches. Even turning a light off could ignite the gas.
• Evacuate your home.
• Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Free, any time. 

If you suspect that there is carbon monoxide in your home: 

• Evacuate everyone immediately.
• Only open windows and doors if they are on your route out.
• Call 0800 111 999.
• Seek medical attention straight away. 

Get gas appliances such as boilers and hobs serviced once a year. A service checks that there is no risk of leaks, and that your appliances are burning gas cleanly rather than producing carbon monoxide. 

A gas safety check must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you are unsure whether an engineer is registered, ask to see their Gas Safe ID card, or look them up on the Gas Safe Register website: https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/. 

If you rent your home, it is your landlord’s responsibility to arrange the annual gas safety check and to give you a copy of the gas safety certificate before you move in. 

The engineer will need a working gas supply to carry out the check. If you are a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) customer, make sure there is credit on your gas meter before they arrive. 

A quick inspection can show the warning signs that a gas appliance is not working properly. 

Lazy yellow or orange flames 

All gas appliances should burn with a clear blue flame. That means there is enough oxygen for the gas to burn completely, producing carbon dioxide and water vapour. If the flame is yellow, orange or lazy, it is not getting enough oxygen and can produce poisonous carbon monoxide. 

Soot or black marks around the appliance 

Soot is another sign that gas is not burning properly and that carbon monoxide may be present. It usually settles on ceilings, walls and surfaces near the appliance, and can also build up around ventilation ports and flues. 

Excessive condensation 

Burning natural gas produces water vapour, which is completely normal. However, if the flame is weak, there is not enough heat to carry that vapour out through the ventilation, so it settles on nearby surfaces such as windows and walls. A lot of condensation around a gas appliance can be another sign that it is not burning gas properly and may be producing harmful gases. 

A smell of gas while using the appliance 

It is normal to catch a slight whiff of gas when you first light an appliance such as a gas hob. If the smell continues while the appliance is burning, though, that is a sign of a leak. 

If you notice any of these signs, stop using the appliance immediately and ventilate the property. If you are concerned that this has caused a gas leak or that carbon monoxide is present, follow the emergency steps above. 

Do not attempt a DIY repair. Have the appliance repaired by a Gas Safe registered engineer before you use it again. 

Carbon monoxide can be fatal, and lower levels can cause serious long-term health problems. You cannot see, smell or taste it, which is what makes it so dangerous. Every home should have at least one audible carbon monoxide alarm, and ideally one in every room with a gas appliance. Look for an alarm marked BS EN 50291, fit it roughly at head height and between one and three metres from the appliance, and test it once a month. 

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: 

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weakness
• Tiredness and confusion
• Chest and muscle pain
• Shortness of breath
• Flushed skin
• Loss of vision 

If you notice these symptoms, get everyone out into fresh air, call 0800 111 999 and seek medical advice from NHS 111. Call 999 if anyone is unconscious or seriously unwell.

Ventilation draws in the oxygen your appliances need to burn gas safely, and carries harmful gases out of your home. Check that flues, chimneys, air bricks and vents are clear, and never block a vent in a room with a gas appliance, even in cold weather.

1. Save 0800 111 999 in your phone now, before you need it.
2. Find your emergency control valve and show everyone in the household where it is.
3. Book your annual service with a Gas Safe registered engineer.
4. Check that every flame in the house burns clear and blue.
5. Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm, and test it monthly.
6. Keep vents, flues and chimneys clear. 

None of this takes long, and it is the difference between hoping your home is gas safe and knowing it is. If you are due a service or you are not sure when your appliances were last checked, get in touch with us at PEC and we will help you get it booked in.