Gas appliances are safe when they are installed correctly, ventilated properly and serviced regularly. Most of the incidents we are called to trace back to something simple: a perished hose, an incorrectly rated regulator, a burner that has never been cleaned, or an appliance used in a room with too little fresh air.

Warning signs to take seriously

• A yellow, lazy or lifting flame instead of a crisp blue one
• Soot or black marks around a burner or heater panel
• Any smell of gas during use, or lingering after shut-down
• An appliance that lights and then cuts out repeatedly
• Headaches, drowsiness or nausea when the appliance is running
• Hoses that feel hard, cracked or sticky, or fittings that look corroded

Everyday good practice

• Ventilate the room while a gas heater or hob is in use
• Store cylinders upright, outdoors where possible, away from heat
• Never dry clothing on or near a gas heater
• Close the cylinder valve when the appliance is not in use
• Have appliances serviced by a qualified technician before each winter

We deliberately do not publish repair instructions for gas appliances. Dismantling, adjusting or modifying a gas appliance is work for an appropriately qualified and compliant technician — the risk of doing it incorrectly is not worth the saving.