What to do if…
you smell a strong chemical, fuel, or solvent odour indoors and cannot find the source

What to do now

1. Leave by the nearest safe route. Take children and pets with you, and help anyone who may have difficulty leaving.
2. Avoid electrical switches, plugs, flames, smoking, engines, and other possible ignition sources as you leave.
3. Do not delay your exit to ventilate the property. Only open a door or window if it is immediately accessible on your way out and doing so does not bring you closer to the suspected fumes.
4. Once outside, move away from the building and prevent other people from entering.
5. Call 999 from a safe place if the odour is strong or worsening, you can see a spill or vapour, there is smoke, heat or fire, fuel or another flammable substance may be involved, anyone may have inhaled something harmful, or you are uncertain about the danger. Describe the unexplained chemical, fuel, or solvent odour and any symptoms.
6. If natural gas or a gas appliance could be involved, also call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 from outside and follow its instructions.
7. Tell the 999 call handler immediately if anyone has collapsed, lost consciousness, had a seizure, stopped breathing, or has severe difficulty breathing.
8. Keep anyone who may have been exposed in fresh air and follow the emergency call handler’s instructions. Do not give them food or drink unless a healthcare professional advises it.
9. From outside, note any useful information you already know, such as recent decorating, cleaning products, fuel storage, building work, appliance use, deliveries, or an attached garage. Do not re-enter to find packaging or take photographs.
10. Do not return until the emergency services, gas emergency service, building manager, landlord, or another competent professional says it is safe.