What to do if…
your oven or stove will not turn off and you are worried it is unsafe

What to do now

1. Move people and pets away from the kitchen. Move tea towels, paper, packaging, oven gloves, curtains, and other flammable items away from the cooker if you can do this without reaching over heat or smoke.

2. If there are flames, smoke, or a visible fire:

   • Turn off the heat source only if you can do it without reaching through flames or heavy smoke.
   • If the fire is inside the oven, keep the oven door closed.
   • Leave the property, close doors behind you if you can, and call 999 if the fire is spreading, you cannot safely isolate the heat, or you feel at risk.

3. Work out the likely source only as far as you need to act safely:

   • Gas: there is a visible flame, a burner will not go out, you can hear gas, or you can smell gas.
   • Electric: there is no gas smell, but the oven element or electric hob stays hot or glowing after the control is off.
   • Both or unsure: treat any gas smell as a gas emergency.

4. If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak:

   • Get everyone out to fresh air.
   • Do not operate electrical switches or use naked flames.
   • Open doors and windows if you can do this quickly and safely, but do not delay leaving if the smell is strong or anyone feels unwell.
   • Turn off the gas at the emergency control valve at or near the meter only if it is quick, safe, and on your way out. Do not enter a cellar or basement to reach it.
   • From outside or another safe place, call the gas emergency number: 0800 111 999 in England, Scotland or Wales, or 0800 002 001 in Northern Ireland.

5. If it appears to be electric and there is no gas smell:

   • Turn the cooker off at the cooker control unit or isolator switch, often a wall switch near the cooker.
   • If it still heats and you can reach the consumer unit safely, switch off the cooker circuit.
   • If you cannot identify the cooker circuit and there is burning, smoke, overheating, or immediate danger, use the main switch only if it is safe to reach. If not, leave and call 999.

6. If a gas burner flame will not go out:

   • Turn the burner control to off once, without forcing it.
   • If the flame remains or you can still hear gas, turn off the appliance isolation valve or the emergency control valve at the meter only if it is safe and quick.
   • If you smell gas, hear gas, feel unwell, or are unsure, leave and call the gas emergency number from outside or another safe place.

7. Once the supply is isolated, keep the cooker out of use:

   • Put a clear note on it saying “Do not use — unsafe”.
   • Keep the area clear while it cools.
   • Ventilate the kitchen only after the heat source is off and it is safe to stay inside.

8. Arrange the right help before using it again:

   • For a gas oven, gas hob, or dual-fuel cooker, contact a Gas Safe registered engineer.
   • For an electric oven or electric hob, contact a qualified electrician or appliance repair engineer.
   • If you rent, report it urgently to your landlord or agent and say you have isolated the supply for safety. The tenancy agreement and the type of fault may affect who arranges the repair.