What Should I Do If I Smell Natural Gas?

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

If you suspect a Natural Gas Leak in your West Valley City, UT house, follow these tips and do not hesitate to contact us.

A natural gas leak can result in a gas fire or explosion. If you have natural gas service to your home, it is important to know what to do if you suspect a leak.

Steps To Take If You Suspect a Natural Gas Leak

When everything is working properly, you probably don't think about your natural gas service very much. However, a gas explosion caused by a leak can be a safety hazard and cause substantial property damage. Take steps immediately if you suspect a gas leak.

1. Check Your Stove

If you are noticing a gas smell in your kitchen, check your stove to make sure the burners are all turned off. It can be easy to accidentally turn a burner on when reaching for something in a cabinet or walking by the stove.

2. Don't Switch Any Lights on

If you have ever turned on a light switch in a dark room, you have probably seen sparks. Those sparks can ignite any gas that is in the air and cause an explosion. If you need to investigate a leak in the dark, use a flashlight instead.

3. Avoid Open Flames

If you are in a dark room, you might be tempted to use a cigarette lighter or light a candle to see by without thinking about it. Never introduce an open flame to an area that may have a gas leak. This may cause a gas fire or explosion.

4. Open Windows and Doors

Ventilation will help you disperse any gas that is in the air. Open windows and doors and leave them open until the problem is resolved.

5. Locate Your Gas Meter

Before you have a problem, take the time to locate the gas meter outside your home and learn how to shut it off. If you smell gas, you can use a wrench to shut off the gas at the meter. If you have trouble finding your meter, contact your gas company in West Valley City, UT.

6. Know When To Evacuate

If the source of the gas leak isn't something obvious that you can easily stop, such as a burner that is turned on, evacuate all people and pets in your home and go to a safe place, such as a neighbor's house across the street. Call 911 to report the emergency.

7. Keep Emergency Contacts on Hand

Save the phone numbers for your utility company, fire department, insurance company and a fire remediation company in your cell phone or another easily accessible place. If a fire occurs or the leak takes some time to resolve, you may not be able to reenter your home for some time. If you have this information on hand, you can begin making arrangements immediately.

A natural gas smell might be something as simple as a burner you need to turn off on the stove, or it could be a dangerous situation that could result in a gas fire or explosion. You may not have much time to act when you notice a leak, so having a plan in place before a problem occurs is important.