Home Gas Safety Tips

An unsafe gas appliance has the potential to lead to gas leaks, fires and explosions, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, but these are all risks which can be avoided by following some simple gas safety advice.

In the UK, the majority of homes have some type of gas appliance, so we’ve compiled a short list of tips to help ensure you stay safe.

Our top gas safety tips

Here’s our advice on how to keep you and your family gas safe:

1. Get an annual gas safety check - Get a Gas Safe registered engineer to check all gas appliances in your property once a year. They’ll also do a visual inspection of your gas pipework and a tightness test to confirm there aren’t any gas leaks. If you’re a tenant renting a property, make sure you landlord arranges a gas safety check.
2. Find a Gas Safe registered engineer - You can use our online search or call us on 0800 408 5500 to find a registered engineer in your area.
3. Check your engineer’s Gas Safe ID card - You’ll want to check the front and back - this is how you’ll know they’re qualified to do the gas work they’ll be carrying out.
4. Look out for gas appliance warning signs - If your appliance isn’t working as it should be, there are certain signs to look out for like floppy yellow flames, extra condensation and black marks around the appliance.
5. Know the signs of CO poisoning - You’ll want to look out for headaches, dizziness, nausea, and breathlessness. More severe symptoms are collapse and loss of consciousness. Find out more by reading our Carbon Monoxide Poisoning page.
6. Buy an audible CO alarm marked EN 50291 - Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing the alarm, so if a CO leak occurs, you’ll be alerted to it.
7. Ensure adequate ventilation - This is essential for gas appliances to burn properly. You’ll want to make sure that no air vents or chimneys are blocked.
8. Only use gas appliances for their intended purpose - Don’t use an appliance for something it wasn’t meant for - for example, using a cooker to heat a room.

If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, it’s important to contact your emergency service provider straight away. Find your emergency contact number and more on our what to do in a gas emergency page.

Useful information

• Learn how Gas Safe Register has responded to COVID-19 and our advice and guidance related to our new ways of working
• Discover how you can ensure appliances are maintained by a Gas Safe registered engineer and stay aware of what to look out for
• Find out more about ensuring your gas fire is installed and maintained by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the warning signs which could indicate an unsafe gas fire
• If you have a gas oven or hob in your home, ensure you know the warning signs and what to do to ensure it's safe.