Do you know what to do when you smell natural gas?

DEM Blogger

June 15, 2015

Here are a few tips from Columbia Gas
on ­­­what to do, and what not to do, if you suspect a gas leak.

Do:

• Leave the area quickly.
• Warn others to stay away from the area.
• From a safe place, call 911 and our emergency number at 1-800-432-9515.
• Remain outside until we can send someone to check on the source of the odor.

An odor of gas outside your home should be reported just as you would report an inside odor. Gas leaks from service lines could migrate into your home through walls or drain lines.

Don’t:

• Light a match or candle, or operate anything that could cause a spark, including cell phones, lights, appliances, flashlights, power tools, etc.
• Open the windows and doors in an attempt to ventilate.
• Try to find the leak yourself or operate pipeline valves.

Use your senses to detect a natural gas odor:

• Look – Bubbling water or dirt blowing from the ground near a natural gas line can indicate a release of natural gas from the underground pipeline.
• Listen – If you hear a hissing, blowing, or roaring sound that could indicate a potential hazard.
• Smell – Because natural gas is odorless and colorless, Columbia Gas infuses the gas with an odorant called mercaptan, which smells like rotten eggs.More about gas leaks from Columbia Gas