It’s hard to imagine your home turning into a fireball in the blink of an eye – or the flick of a switch. But gas leaks can make this nightmare a horrifying reality.
Gas leaks don’t just put your property at risk – they are a serious threat to your health. But symptoms can be easily overlooked.
Could you identify the signs of a gas leak, or the symptoms of exposure to a gas leak in a loved one?
Understanding the dangers of gas leaks, what action to take if you suspect one and how to play your part in gas leak prevention is essential knowledge to stay safe. In an emergency, this knowledge could save your home and the lives of you and your loved ones.
Understanding Gas Leaks and Their Dangers
Gas leaks happen when gas escapes from gas pipes and household appliances that are incorrectly fitted, poorly maintained, or faulty. They are also a serious risk of gas meter tampering.
Very often the leaks are small. So small that you might not even detect them.
But when gas builds up over time, it can reach dangerous levels. A gas leak could fill a closed room, or even the whole house if you’re leaving the property empty for an extended period. A holiday away could end in disaster once you arrive home.
How Meter Tampering Leads to Gas Leaks
Gas keeps our homes warm, our water hot, and helps get food on the table. When appliances are installed and maintained correctly, they are perfectly safe additions to your home.
But gas meter tampering changes all that.
Criminals think that gas meter tampering is a clever way to cut corners and shave money off their gas bill. But those small savings, they can cost lives.
When criminals tamper with or bypass gas meters, this can cause deadly gas leaks.
Gas leaks can lead to fires as well as carbon monoxide poisoning. If high levels of gas build up, just flicking a light switch, lighting a cigarette, or turning on the stove can trigger a catastrophic explosion.
Gas theft is not a victimless crime. It puts the people you love in danger.
The consequences of gas meter tampering can affect people living or working nearby too, and even those just walking past the property. It can tear homes and families apart.
If you are worried that someone may have tampered with a gas meter, but are not in immediate danger, report it to Stay Energy Safe by phone or completing the simple online form, 100% anonymously.
For more information about gas theft, the dangers of gas leaks, the signs to spot meter tampering, and real-life stories showing how this crime can have devastating results, click here.
Health Risks Associated with Gas Leaks
As well as the risk of fires and explosions, there are serious gas leak health risks related to breathing in the gas itself.
Gas leaks change the amount of oxygen available in the air. As you breathe in less oxygen, you may start to develop symptoms of exposure to a gas leak:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Eye and throat irritation
- Fatigue
- Breathing problems
If you or others in your family experience these sudden and unexplained symptoms, there could be a gas leak in your home. You may see the same gas leak symptoms in household pets.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Tension headaches
- Extreme fatigue
- Sickness
- Dizziness and confusion
- Stomach pain
- Difficulty breathing
The more carbon monoxide you inhale, the worse your symptoms will get. You may eventually lose balance, muscle control, vision and consciousness. Breathing in too much can even prove fatal.
Gas leak health risks can have devastating long-term effects. Even minor cases of carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to serious brain, heart and organ damage, potentially resulting in death.
If you think you’ve been exposed to low levels of carbon monoxide, see your GP or call NHS 111.
If you think you’ve been exposed to high levels, go to A&E immediately but do not drive yourself. Get somebody to take you or call an ambulance.
If someone is displaying severe symptoms or has collapsed, call 999.
Carbon monoxide monitors work much like a fire or smoke alarm, and they sound when carbon monoxide is detected in the air. These alarms keep you and your family safe. Guidance on carbon monoxide monitors can be found here on the Gas Safe website.
Keep your home and community safe. If you suspect someone is tampering with their gas meter, report your suspicions to Stay Energy Safe.
Signs You Have a Gas Leak in Your Home
Natural gas has no smell. That’s why your energy company adds a harmless but smelly chemical to the gas. It helps you identify gas leaks.
However, when gas leaks are very small, you might not smell anything.
That’s why it’s important to know what else to look out for.
Signs of a gas leak in your home include:
- A sulphurous smell, like rotten eggs.
- A hissing or whistling sound coming from appliances, even when they’re switched off, or near a gas line or gas meter.
- Gas usage that is much higher than it should be.
- Visible damage to your gas meter.
- A damaged connection to a gas line.
- Houseplants dead or dying for no apparent reason.
- A white cloud, blowing dust, or bubbles in standing water.
Carbon monoxide, however, has no smell – natural or added. That’s why it’s vital you install carbon monoxide alarms in your home, to alert you to any dangerous gas leaks.
What to Do If You Suspect a Gas Leak
If you suspect a gas leak, you need to act fast. Stay safe and remember:
- Open all doors and windows immediately to let fresh air in, and harmful gas out.
- Turn off the gas at the mains. According to British Gas, the isolation valve in newer homes is normally outside in a meter box with the gas meter. If it’s not there, it could be under the stairs or kitchen sink, or in the garage. Turn the handle so the lever is at 90 degrees to the upright gas pipe.
- Extinguish any naked flames, such as candles or fireplaces.
- Get everyone out of your home immediately and head to a safe location.
- Call the National Gas Emergency number (0800 111 999) as soon as you are in a safe location. It’s free and available 24 hours. An emergency engineer will be sent out to make your home safe again.
- Tell your neighbours about any gas leaks, especially if you live in a flat, or a semi-detached or terraced property.
- If you rent, call your landlord to report the leak.
If you suspect a gas leak, never:
- Switch anything electrical on or off, like lights or power sockets.
- Use your mobile phone, doorbell or any appliances that can cause a spark.
- Smoke, strike a match, or light any type of flame inside.
- Turn the gas supply back on until it’s been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Lastly, always play your part in gas leak prevention.
Gas leak prevention is everyone’s responsibility, to help keep your community safe.
Don’t ever let Dodgy Dave fit gas appliances in your home, or a friend who says they can do it. Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit them and get them checked annually.
Gas leaks destroy lives. Gas meter tampering is never a harmless shortcut – it’s a serious danger that could cost you your home, your health, or even your life and the lives of your housemates or family.
If you suspect gas meter tampering, report it to Stay Energy Safe immediately. Call 0800 023 2777 or fill out the online form.
You will remain 100% anonymous. Always.
Stay safe, not sorry.