Natural Gas Leak Emergency Safety Guide
Know how to recognize a possible natural-gas leak, leave without creating a spark, and contact responders from a safe location.
Recognize a possible leak
Warning signs can include a rotten-egg odor, hissing, blowing dust, bubbling water, dead vegetation near a buried line, or damaged gas equipment. Smell can be weak or absent for some people, so treat any suspected leak seriously.
Leave without creating ignition
Do not switch lights or appliances on or off, use a phone inside, light a flame, smoke, start a nearby vehicle, or operate anything that could spark. Do not search for the source. Alert others as you leave and move well away.
Call from a safe place
Once outside and away from the suspected leak, call 911 or the local emergency number and the gas utility. Give the exact address and describe what you noticed. Keep others away and follow responder instructions.
Do not reenter or repair
Never tighten fittings, operate a shutoff valve, or restart an appliance unless the utility or a qualified professional has trained or directed you. Do not return until fire officials or the utility declare the area safe.
Prepare the household
Keep the utility emergency number with household contacts, learn evacuation routes, and ensure everyone can recognize warnings and leave independently or with planned assistance. Use qualified technicians to maintain fuel-burning equipment.
Quick checklist
- Save relevant emergency, utility, and healthcare contacts.
- Keep required supplies accessible and check dates regularly.
- Practice the plan with household members and caregivers.
- Follow current directions from qualified local authorities.
Frequently asked questions
When should this plan be reviewed?
Review it at least twice a year and after a move, household change, medical change, equipment change, or local emergency.
What takes priority during a real event?
Current directions from emergency responders, utilities, public-health officials, and treating clinicians take priority over general guidance.
Sources
Utility-provider emergency guidance and Ready.gov home-safety preparedness resources.