• Know the location of your gas meter and gas emergency shut off valve. If your gas meter is situated in a meter box be sure you keep your key in a safe place.

• Know where your stopcock is situated in your home and check this operates correctly. A quick check three or four times a year is all that is needed - give them each a quarter turn and back again.

• Burst pipes: Turn off water supply at incoming main stopcock and open all taps until the water stops running then call us. If you are unable to turn off the water mains via the stopcock located in the premises or cannot locate the main stopcock externally to your premises then call your local water Authority.

Thames Water 0845 9200 800

• Smell of Gas: Immediately turn off the gas supply at the meter. Open all doors and windows and vacate the building. Do not operate any light switch or use naked flames. Never attempt to trace the source of the leak yourself, contact us or another Gas Safe registered gas installer or Southern Gas by phone - NOT from a phone inside the premises.

National Gas Emergency Service 0800 111 999