What should you do if you smell Gas??
When it comes to propane, safety is our top priority.
If your home uses propane, "smelling gas" means smelling propane. Propane has a distinctive "rotten egg" odor added to it to help detect leaks before they become dangerous.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you should wait to see if the smell gets stronger.
Please don't.
Even if the odor is faint or seems to come and go, it should always be taken seriously.
While propane itself is not poisonous, it can displace oxygen in the air. In an enclosed space, breathing high concentrations of propane can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, a lack of oxygen can lead to unconsciousness or even death. Propane is also highly flammable, making it essential to respond immediately if you suspect a leak.
If You Smell Gas, Follow These Steps
1. NO FLAMES OR SPARKS
Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames.
Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire.
2. LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY
Get everyone—including children and pets—out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
3. SHUT OFF THE GAS
Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
If you cannot safely access the propane tank, do not put yourself at risk. Leave the area immediately.
4. REPORT THE LEAK
From a neighbor's home or another nearby building away from the suspected gas leak, call Dan's Propane right away.
Even if the odor is faint or you're not completely sure it's a leak, we encourage you to call us. We'd much rather respond to a false alarm than have one of our customers ignore a potential problem. Your safety is, and always will be, our number one priority.
If you can't reach us, call 911 or your local fire department.
5. DO NOT RETURN
Do not return to the building or area until Dan's Propane, emergency responders, or a qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.
Even if the smell appears to have gone away, the hazard may still be present.
6. GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED
Before attempting to use any propane appliance again, have your entire propane system inspected by Dan's Propane or another qualified service technician to ensure it is leak-free and safe to operate.
Trust Your Nose
That distinctive "rotten egg" smell is one of propane's most important safety features. It's designed to warn you of a potential leak before it becomes a serious emergency.
If something doesn't seem right, don't ignore it.
At Dan's Propane, we'd much rather answer your call and find everything is okay than have someone wait too long to report a possible leak. When it comes to propane safety, there is no such thing as being too cautious.
For a visual demonstration of what to do if you suspect a gas leak, watch the official safety video from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC):
https://propane.com/safety/safety-articles/what-to-do-if-you-smell-gas/
The safety information in this article is based on guidance from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Dan's Propane encourages all propane users to follow these industry-standard safety procedures whenever a gas leak is suspected.