Gas leaks are a serious business. This is not scaremongering – people die from gas leaks, so knowing about the dangers and how to deal with them is important. Whether it be from you water boiler, central heating, gas cooker or outdoor BBQ, knowing how to check for gas leaks is a vital skill in order to stay safe and – as a lesser concern – to save you money off your utility bills.

There are various telltale signs that you may have a gas leak in your home but usually the most obvious sign is the smell. It is a common misconception but natural gas is actually odourless, which is partly why it is so dangerous, as humans can inhale toxic fumes without noticing it. To combat this problem, gas providers artificially add an "odouriser" or liquid chemical which taints the gas with an unpleasant smell which alerts the senses to its presence.

The odouriser will smell sulphurous, like rotten eggs, which is the surest sign that you have a gas leak. Sometimes new appliances like fake log fires have a strong burning smell the first time they are used, this is normal and the smell should burn off within an hour. The smell of gas is quite distinctive and should be noticeably appreciable, but if the smell continues from a new appliance then it could be faulty, in which case you should call the manufacturer.

Other than the strong smell of gas, you may hear a faint hissing sound or may even be able to see the gas moving small dust clouds from the surrounding area. If you perceive any of these signs switch off the gas at source and call your provider. Most will offer a free service to come and make your house safe.

In some cases a gas leak may not be abundantly obvious and could be only a small leak, but still potentially very dangerous. Pipes which are discoloured with black streaks are evidence of escaping gas at loose fittings. If you suspect a minor gas leak, you can test your fittings with a spray bottle and some soapy water. Spray the liquid all around the gas fittings and check carefully for small bubbles. If bubbles do appear, then your gas is leaking and you need to tighten or reset the fitting. Take care not to over-tighten as that can make the leak worse, and – if in doubt – call a professional in to fix your problem.

Under no circumstances if you suspect a gas leak should you light a match or switch on/off any electrical appliances. Even switching off a light bulb can be enough to spark an explosion, so take extreme care in those circumstances.