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Emergency help

Stay safe first. These are the steps to take straight away, before any tradesperson arrives.

If you smell gas

Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. It's free and open 24 hours.

Do

  • Open doors and windows
  • Turn the gas off at the meter, if you can
  • Call 0800 111 999

Don't

  • Smoke or use naked flames
  • Use electrical switches, on or off
  • Go into a cellar, even if the meter is there

Carbon monoxide has no smell. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness and tiredness that ease when you leave the house can be a sign. Get into fresh air, call 0800 111 999, and get medical advice from NHS 111, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell.

Other emergencies

Burst pipe or water leak

  1. Turn the water off at the stopcock. It's often under the kitchen sink, but can be in a cupboard, under the stairs or by the front door.
  2. If water is near lights, sockets or the consumer unit, don't touch them. Switch the electrics off at the consumer unit only if you can reach it without touching water.
  3. Turn on cold taps to drain the pipes and move valuables out of the way.
Find a plumber

Burning smell, sparks or a hot socket

  1. If there's smoke or fire, get everyone out and call 999.
  2. Otherwise, if it's safe to reach, switch off the power at the consumer unit.
  3. Don't touch damaged wiring, scorched sockets or anything wet. Don't keep resetting a switch that trips straight away.
Find an electrician

No heating or hot water

  1. Check the thermostat and timer are calling for heat, and that the boiler has power.
  2. Check the pressure gauge and any error code on the boiler, and note them down.
  3. Don't open the boiler casing. If someone in the home is elderly, very young or unwell, keep them warm with safe portable heating while you wait.
Find a boiler engineer

Overflowing drain or toilet

  1. Stop using taps, toilets and appliances that drain into the blocked pipe.
  2. Keep children and pets away and avoid touching sewage. Wash your hands well if you do.
  3. Check whether neighbours have the same problem. A shared sewer blockage may be for the water company.
Find a drainage specialist

Sources

Checked 26 September 2026.

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