Step-by-step — in this order
- Do NOT operate any electrical switches, light switches, fans or doorbells
- Do NOT use a phone inside the house — go outside
- Open windows and doors to ventilate
- Turn the gas off at the meter (the lever is at right angles to the pipe when closed)
- Leave the property with anyone else inside
- Call Gas Networks Ireland on 1800 20 50 50 (24 hr, free)
- Once safe, book an RGII engineer to find and fix the leak before re-opening the gas
Why this matters
Natural gas is flammable in concentrations as low as 5% in air. A single spark — from a light switch, a fridge thermostat or a mobile phone — is enough to ignite it. The procedure above is the same one issued by Gas Networks Ireland and is taught on every RGII gas-safety course.