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uk Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
you smell gas or hear hissing near a gas meter, regulator, or appliance

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Get into fresh air, avoid flames and anything that could create a spark, and call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999 from outside or another safe place. Call 999 if there is a fire, explosion, collapse, breathing difficulty, or another immediate danger.

Do not do these things

  • Do not smoke, vape, strike a match, light a candle, or use any naked flame.
  • Do not turn lights, plugs, switches, appliances, thermostats, doorbells, or other electrical equipment on or off.
  • Do not use a phone beside the suspected leak or while still inside a property with a strong gas smell.
  • Do not use a lift.
  • Do not search for the leak with a flame.
  • Do not remove covers, tighten fittings, disconnect equipment, or attempt a repair.
  • Do not enter a cellar, basement, confined space, or strongly affected area to reach the gas valve.
  • Do not re-enter until the attending emergency engineer or emergency services say it is safe.

What to do now

  1. Move everyone, including children and pets, away from the meter, regulator, appliance, or other area where you smell gas or hear hissing. Leave the property if the smell is strong, the hissing continues, or you are uncertain about the risk.
  2. Avoid operating anything electrical as you leave. Use stairs rather than a lift.
  3. If you can do so quickly and safely on your way out, extinguish naked flames and open doors and windows manually to ventilate the property. Do not delay leaving to do this.
  4. If you know where the emergency control valve is and can reach it without approaching active hissing or entering a cellar, basement, or confined space, turn off the gas supply at the meter.
  5. Once outside or in another safe place, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Explain what you can smell or hear, where it seems strongest, whether the gas has been turned off, and whether anyone feels unwell.
  6. Call 999 if there is a fire, an explosion, serious structural damage, someone cannot get out, or anyone has collapsed, become confused, developed chest pain, feels very weak, or is struggling to breathe.
  7. If anyone has headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion, chest pain, or breathlessness, move them into fresh air. Call NHS 111 for urgent medical advice unless the symptoms are severe, in which case call 999.
  8. Wait in a safe place, keep other people away from the affected area, and follow the instructions given by the emergency operator and attending engineer.

What can wait

You do not need to identify the faulty part, decide who is responsible, arrange a permanent repair, contact an insurer, or resolve payment or tenancy questions now. Those matters can wait until the emergency service has checked the area and confirmed it is safe.

Important reassurance

Calling about a suspected leak is appropriate even when you are not certain. You are not expected to locate or confirm the source yourself.

Scope note

This guide covers the earliest safety steps only. Inspection, repair, appliance testing, restoring the gas supply, tenancy issues, and insurance questions may require the gas network, a Gas Safe registered engineer, your landlord, or another relevant specialist.

Important note

This is general safety information, not engineering, medical, legal, or other professional advice. Follow instructions from the National Gas Emergency Service, NHS services, and emergency services for the specific situation.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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