Life Hack: What to do — and what not to do — if you smell gas in your home

What to do if you suspect a gas leak

You should never use a gas-powered appliance if you think it may be faulty

Each winter our gas usage tends to increase: from cooking comforting meals to heating our homes, those of us with gas-based systems should be aware of the risks of gas leaks and what to do if one occurs.

Natural gas in its original form is odourless so a substance called mercaptan is added to it giving it an unpleasant odour often associated with rotten eggs or sulphur. This helps to identify a leak in a quick and efficient manner.