Smell gas?

Can you smell gas?

Are you experiencing any of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Are there any danger signs on or around an appliance?

What to do if you smell gas

Act quickly and take the following safety steps

  • Gas flameOpen all doors and windows to ventilate the room. Get fresh air immediately
  • Switch off the appliance and do not reuse until it has been checked by Aturi
  • Shut off the gas supply at the mains (if you know where this is)
  • Call the relevant National Gas Safety number
  • Contact Aturi to carry out the necessary repairs to the appliance

About Carbon Monoxide

You can’t see it, taste it or smell it but it can kill quickly and with no warning. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous substance produced by the incomplete burning of gas and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). This happens when a gas appliance has been incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained. It can also occur if flues, chimneys or vents are blocked. Oil and solid fuels such as coal, wood, petrol and oil can also produce carbon monoxide. It can cause death as well as serious long term health problems such as brain damage.

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when you breathe in even small amounts of the gas. When you breathe in carbon monoxide, it gets into your blood stream and prevents your red blood cells from carrying oxygen. Without oxygen, your body tissue and cells die. Levels that do not kill can cause serious harm to health when breathed in over a long period of time. Long term effects of carbon monoxide poisoning include Paralysis and brain damage. Such long term effects occur because many people are unaware of unsafe gas appliances and subsequent gas leaks.

Remember the six main symptoms to look out for:

  1. Headaches
  2. Dizziness
  3. Nausea
  4. Breathlessness
  5. Collapse
  6. Loss of consciousness
Being aware of the symptoms could save your life.

Carbon monoxide symptoms are similar to flu, food poisoning, viral infections and simply tiredness. That’s why it’s quite common for people to mistake this very dangerous poisoning for something else.

Other signs that could point to carbon monoxide poisoning:

  • Your symptoms only occur when you are at home
  • Your symptoms disappear or get better when you leave home and come back when you return
  • Others in your household are experiencing symptoms (including your pets) and they appear at a similar time

What should I do if I experience any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

  • Get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows, turn off gas appliances and leave the house
  • See your doctor immediately or go to hospital – let them know that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. They can do a blood or breath test to check
  • If you think there is immediate danger, call the Gas Emergency Helpline
  • Contact us to inspect your gas appliances and flues to see if there is a dangerous problem

Don’t assume your gas appliances are safe: contact us to do a check. This is the only safe way to prevent yourself and those around you from incurring serious illness or death due to carbon monoxide exposure.

Useful numbers and contacts

Gas emergency Services

England, Scotland and Wales

  • For natural gas, call the National Gas Emergency Service Freephone Number: 0800 111 999
  • For liquified petroleum gas (LPG):
    • Bulk and metered supplies; see telephone number on the bulk storage vessel or at the meter
    • Cylinder supplies; See gas supplier emergency contact details in your local telephone directory

Northern Ireland

  • For natural gas, call the Northern Ireland Gas Emergency Service: 0800 002 001
  • For liquified petroleum gas (LPG):
    • Bulk and metered supplies; see telephone number on the bulk storage vessel or at the meter
    • Cylinder supplies; See gas supplier emergency contact details in your local telephone directory

Isle of Man

  • For natural gas, Towns gas and LPG, call Manx Gas: 01624 644 444

Guernsey

Jersey

Main UK LPG suppliers

For cylinder supplies on caravan parks and hire boats, the site owner and/or boat operator may also have responsibilities. Advice may be obtained from the gas company identified on the cylinder through their emergency contact details.

Oil and Biofuel

  • Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) – 0845 65 85 080

Solid fuel and Biomass

  • Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme (HETAS) – 0845 634 5626

Advice on carbon monoxide alarms

  • Council of Gas Detection and Environmental Monitoring (CoGDEM) – 0800 1694 457

Medical information