What to Do If...

you smell gas

If you smell gas, call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 right away, make the call as far away from the smell as you can. Don’t light matches, turn on the stove or anything electrical, or do anything with flames. Open a window or door, and don’t stick around inside. Turn off the meter at the control valve if you know how. After that, sit tight (not in your gassy flat) and wait for help.

…the lights go out

If the lights go out, check to see if your neighbours still have power. If they do, then it’s likely that your trip switch has gone.  The trip switch will be on or near your fusebox and is likely to be near your electricity meter. If it is the trip switch, turn off appliances that may have been on and then just flip it again.

If your neighbours have lost power, then it sounds like a power cut. Tune in to a local station on a battery powered radio and get more information that way.

If you have a power cut you need to call one of these two numbers. The one you need depends on where you live.

North of Scotland: Scottish Hydro 0800 300 999

South of Scotland: Scottish Power 0845 272 7999

And remember, you can always look in your local directory for an electrician if anything stumps you.

…the flood-gates open

If water starts gushing out where it shouldn’t, turn off the water if you know how. Scottish Water have an emergency line and you can call them on 0845 600 8855. You can also look in your local directory for emergency plumbers in your area.

…your kitchen turns into an inferno

Obviously, if you’re dealing with flames, call 999 straight away. You can call 999 for free from any phone, and it even works on a disconnected mobile. From your mobile, you can also call 112 anywhere in Europe. However, make sure you know the number of your local fire and rescue service for less severe emergencies.

…the furry things take over

And we’re not talking wombles. If you’ve got a rodent problem, you’re not alone. Apparently in a city we’re never more than a metre from a rat at any given time (interpret that how you want!). Mice and rats are certainly common, especially in older buildings. You can reduce your chances of encountering them by keeping things clean, and always putting food away. They can get on to counters no problem so don’t think if it’s high up it’s safe. They can scale electrical cords, curtains – just about anything – and they can also flatten themselves to fit through a space as small as the end of a pencil.

You’ve got a few choices if you have rodents. There are traps (both humane ones, and the more traditional kind) which require bait – smelly food is best (peanut butter is apparently good, although some swear by chocolate). You can put down poison, although you risk finding bodies strewn about, or smelling them but not being able to get to them. You can get a cat – some people say just the smell of the cat is enough to keep rodents away – but cats will usually leave you a present of at least part of a mouse, should they catch one. Not for the squeamish.

You can always call in the professionals, though. Your council should be able to give help and advice, or check under exterminators or pest control in the phone book