gas safety in the home

21 million households in the United Kingdom use gas to heat their homes, cook their food and provide hot water

We take it for granted that our boilers, cookers and gas fires are safe. It is only when there is a problem with an appliance that many people take any notice of it at all.

What are the gas safety risks of dangerous gas work?

Dangerous gas work can be deadly.  Badly fitted and poorly serviced appliances can cause the following gas safety risks:

1. gas leaks
2. fires
3. explosions
4. carbon monoxide poisoning

Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix or service your appliances. 

Everyone should understand how to be gas safe in their homes.

Top tips for gas safety

1. Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer to install, repair and service your gas appliances, including your:
   • gas boiler
   • gas fire, gas cooker or hob
   • central heating system, radiators or your hot water system, if they are connected to either a Natural Gas or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) supply
     
     

2. Always ask for the card. Gas Safe registered engineers all carry a Gas Safe Register ID card. It shows you what they look like and what gas work they are qualified to do. It also gives you a unique licence number that you can use to check they are still on the register.
   
   Only allow an engineer to work on your gas appliances after you have checked their Gas Safe Register ID card. If you have any doubts call 0800 408 5500 and quote the unique licence number on your engineer’s ID card.
   
   If you suspect an engineer is not registered and working illegally, you should report it to Gas Safe Register using the 'Report an illegal engineer' service.

3. Check that your engineer is qualified to work on your gas appliance.
   Not all engineers are qualified to carry out all types of gas work. Make sure you check the qualifications on the back of their ID card to make sure they are competent to work on your appliance.  You can also check them on this website by using the 'Check an engineer' service in the right hand panel of this page.
   
   If you have a complaint about work carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer, then let us know by using our complaints form.

4. Get your appliances checked once a year, or in accordance with your manufacturer's guidelines, by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
   
   Your Gas Safe registered engineer will carry out tests and checks to establish your appliances are operating safely.  Where an appliance or pipework has been installed in an unsafe way, or is operating unsafely and the engineer can not rectify the situation immediately, they will follow the guidance outlined in the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) to make the installation safe.  This is the industry accepted document for guiding engineers on dealing with unsafe situations.  

5. Install an audible, carbon monoxide alarm.  Fitting an alarm will alert you to the presence of the poisonous gas carbon monoxide, produced by unsafe gas appliances

6. If you think there might be a gas leak or notice any signs of carbon monoxide, act fast and follow the advice for gas emergencies.
   

• Gas safety in the home
  • Get your appliances checked
  • Fit a carbon monoxide alarm
  • Doing DIY
• Buying a new home
• Renting a property
• Vulnerable groups
• Gas safety on holiday
• Gas records