As a homeowner, you are responsible for arranging an annual gas safety check of your boiler and other gas appliances, such as cookers and fires.

This is to make sure your gas appliances are working properly. Faulty or poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.

What is a gas check?

An engineer will check the gas appliances you have asked them to look at.

How long does it take?

The check and service only takes about 40 minutes. Afterwards, you will get a record to show that your gas appliances are safe to use.

How do I arrange the check?

To arrange a gas safety check for your home, visit the Gas Safe Register website at www.gassaferegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

You will be able to find a registered engineer who is legally qualified to work on gas appliances. You should compare quotes from around three different engineers before hiring someone.

What to do in an emergency

If you smell gas, or think that there may be a gas leak:

• report it immediately to the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999
• don’t use electrical switches
• shut off the gas supply at the meter
• put out all naked flames
• open doors and windows
• leave the house

 Top tips for gas safety

• Always follow the operating instructions for your gas appliances
• Make sure where and how to turn off your gas supply
• Never install a gas appliance yourself.  Get a gas safe register engineer to do it
• Get your appliances regularly checked by a gas safe register engineer
• If you think an appliance might be faulty, turn it off and call us to report it

Find out more about gas safety in the home from the Directgov website.