If you suspect or are made aware of a Gas Escape, then please take the following actions:
Turn off the gas supply at the 'Emergency Control Valve' by your gas meter. (Make sure you leave a clear path to your meter today, so you can turn it turn off quickly in an emergency)
Extinguish all sources of ignition and naked flames.
Do not operate any electrical switches or appliances.
Ventilate the immediate area by opening doors and windows.
Do not use your phone or mobile phone in the affected area.
Inform all others in the property that:
There may be or there is a gas leak.
There must extinguish all cigarettes and other sources of fire.
They must not use phones, mobile phones in affected areas.
Not to use any electrical switches or appliances.
Evacuate the property when:
Occupant safety is at risk.
Persons are overcome by gas or products of combustion.
It is safe to do so.
Get someone to check that everybody is accounted for.
If your property is on fire or likely to catch fire, contact the Fire Brigade on 999.(From a safe location)
Contact the NATIONAL GRID on 0800 111 999.(From a safe location)
Give the National Grid the following information: (Also give this information to the Fire Brigade if you contacted them first)
I suspect a controlled or uncontrolled gas escape at my property.
My name, address and postcode.
The phone number I am using, if known.
When the smell or leak was first noticed.
The location of the gas leak if known.
You have turned off the gas 'Emergency Control Valve' or not.
Any other nearby properties affected.
Is there a smell of gas outside the property.
Any other extra information you think is relevant.
Ask the National Grid for a reference number.
When you phone the NATIONAL GRID, they will give you a reference number.
Write the reference number on a 'Notification of Gas Escape' card if you have one.
Then attach the card to the gas 'Emergency Control Valve' if safe to approach the gas meter.
You can download / printout a 'Notification of Gas Escape' card, from a pdf file here, or a Word document here.
Do not turn the gas supply back on. This should only be done by a National Grid engineer.
When you contact the National Grid, they should tell you when the engineer will be in your area.
This should be within a few hours, depending on where you live and what time you first contacted them.