If the odor is strong, leave the premises immediately and tell others to leave. Then, call your local gas company from a neighbor's home. Outside gas odors should be reported right away - do not try to locate the source yourself.
Anytime you suspect a natural gas leak, you should react like it's an emergency. Leave the area immediately and evacuate everyone from the home or building. Go to a remote location and call Alliant Energy at 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268).
Legally yes, if there is a gas leak that is a danger to your health and safety and if the gas had to be shut off so you have no heat or hot water, that would make the property uninhabitable as a matter of law.
Can a slow gas leak make you sick? Yes, a slow gas leak can cause chronic health conditions, including respiratory problems and lethargy or fatigue.
After you've had a leak, authorities typically recommend that you open up your doors and windows and let the home air out. Typically, you'll need to allow your home to air out for fifteen minutes to a few hours, but the exact timeframe depends on the severity of the leak and wind conditions in your area.
Severe leaks can cause this problem in just five minutes. The EPA states that exposure to concentrations of nine ppm or more for eight hours is enough to produce harmful health effects for at-risk individuals. Exit the property and call 911 if you suspect your home has a gas leak.
Open windows and doors only if it is possible to do so quickly and easily. Quickly leave the house or building, taking everyone, including pets, with you. Go to a location where you no long smell gas, and call your local natural gas utility. Call 911 if there appears to be an immediate danger.
If you smell a natural gas odor, hear the hissing sound of gas escaping or see other signs of a leak: IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE the area, and from a safe location either call 911 or SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200.
Natural gas leaks are particularly likely to cause smells in small, enclosed areas where gas can build up. If the leak is outside, the smell may seem to come and go as the breeze blows it away. The other big sign to look out for is a strange noise.
Being exposed to a gas leak for a long time can cause a number of symptoms, including headaches, nausea and weakness. If you feel abnormal or sick, call an ambulance immediately.
If you suspect you're dealing with a gas leak in a house, take the following steps: Evacuate the premises. Everyone in the home should leave the building immediately and regroup at a pre-chosen safe place.
Using a lighter or a match could ignite the leaking gas.
Natural gas has no odor. Gas companies add a harmless chemical called mercaptan to give it its distinctive “rotten egg” smell. All natural gas and propane pipeline gas in Connecticut is odorized. If you smell gas near an appliance, it may be just a pilot light that has gone out or a burner valve that is open slightly.
DO NOT smoke, or make a spark or flame. DO NOT turn on any electrical switches, appliances or lights as an electrical charge could create a spark. DO NOT raise or lower the windows or use any phone inside your home. DO NOT open your garage door.
Gas leaks are subtle in smell but very obvious in bills. They can even go on for months undetected.
If your home smells like gas, but there's no apparent leak, here are steps you should follow: Ventilate the house by opening all windows and turning on ceiling fans. After this, if the smell is persistent, evacuate your home. Put out any materials that can create a flame or cause a spark, such as any open flames.
No, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms cannot detect natural gas leaks. They are designed to detect the presence of carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas formed during incomplete combustion of fuels like oil, gas, propane, and wood.
Leave the Windows and Doors Open
You'll especially want to do this if you have kids or pets to make sure they don't inhale too much of the smell. For a boost, use all the fans you have to make the air circulate more quickly. With help from your ceiling and room fans, you'll breathe fresh air at home in no time.
Is a Small Gas Leak OK? There's no such thing as a safe gas leak. Although small amounts of natural gas are less dangerous than large amounts, even a small gas leak can build up to an unsafe level, especially in a small room with all the windows closed.
Hydrogen Sulfide
The gas has a strong scent of rotten eggs, which makes it distinct from other, similar gases. If you detect this rotten egg scent and you are using hydrogen sulfide at your facility, this could be evidence of a leak.
Gas leaks can be cleared out of the home in as little as a few minutes. The severity and source of the leak can determine how long it will take for the toxic fumes to exit your home. If you have a gas leak you must identify the source and repair the leak.
Here's what you should DO if you smell gas: DO leave the home, building, or area of the suspected leak. Get to a safe area as quickly as possible. After leaving your home, DO call the 24-hour emergency number for Peoples at 1-800-400-4271, or call your local emergency response number.
If you smell natural gas or suspect a gas leak, don't delay – get away! Get everyone away from the area or out of the building immediately, report the situation to 911 and then call our 24/7 hotline at 877-832-6747.
Many adverse health effects of gasoline are due to individual chemicals in gasoline, mainly BTEX, that are present in small amounts. Breathing small amounts of gasoline vapors can lead to nose and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and breathing difficulties.