British Gas engineer shares everyday items you should never put near your boiler

A British Gas engineer has highlighted the everyday household items that shouldn't be kept near your boiler for safety reasons.

While it's common to hide boilers in cupboards or behind in-built disguises in homes, an expert warns against using the boiler cupboard for storage, which many of us may do without a second thought.

British Gas service and repair engineer Joanna Flowers cautioned homeowners about keeping certain items too close to their boilers. Taking to TikTok, she explained: "First and foremost, flammable items such as clothes, linens, paint tins or even cleaning supplies should never be stored in close proximity to a boiler."

She added the risk is heightened in the compact space of a boiler cupboard where temperatures change often.

Joanna continued: "One specific danger to be aware of is hanging clothes over or around the boiler. It may seem convenient to drape jackets, coats, or even towels over the boiler or on the back of its cupboard door, but this poses a serious fire risk. Hanging clothes or fabrics could accidentally fall onto the boiler which could lead to overheating, creating the perfect conditions for a fire."

The engineer warned that even if items don't fall directly onto the boiler, they could still obstruct essential ventilation or airflow, making it harder for the boiler to function efficiently. For safety reasons, she advises it's "best to avoid storing or hanging any clothes near the boiler entirely".

She further explained "nothing should come into direct contact with it, and the surrounding area must be kept clear at all times" to ensure the boiler operates properly and safely. As all boilers differ and have manufacturer-specific guidelines, Joanna recommends reading your boiler's manual