How to Evacuate Safely During a Gas Leak

A gas leak can be a very dangerous problem. If you smell gas in your home, it is essential to evacuate immediately and call your utility company. This blog post will explain how to safely evacuate if you smell gas in your home and provide some tips for what NOT to do.

How to Detect a Gas Leak

There are several indicators that you may have a gas leak in your home:

  • You smell a rotten egg odor. This is often the first sign that there is a gas leak.
  • You hear a hissing or whistling sound coming from your appliances or the gas line itself.
  • You see bubbles in standing water, dust clouds, or other visible signs of damage to the gas line.
  • Your house plants may suddenly die.
  • You experience symptoms similar to carbon monoxide poisoning (dizziness, headaches, and nausea).

If Your Home Has a Gas Leak

If you suspect that there is a gas leak in your building, it is important to evacuate immediately and get to a safe distance. As you leave, you should leave a door open. By leaving it open, you allow gas to escape and prevent it from dangerously building up inside your home.

Once you are outside, move to a safe location upwind and at least 100 feet away from your home. After everyone reaches safety, call your utility company and explain that you have a gas leak. Do not go back inside until the utility company has given you the all-clear. Once it is okay to return to the building, you should contact a licensed plumber to fix or replace your gas line.

What Not to Do

Before you leave the building, you should not:

  • start a car in an attached garage
  • plug or unplug electronics
  • use any kind of open flame
  • flip light switches on or off
  • use a phone
  • use elevators

These activities can create sparks that could ignite the gas and cause an explosion.

Leave the Repair to the Professionals

Gas line repairs and replacements should only be handled by licensed professionals. Attempting to repair or replace a gas line yourself can be extremely dangerous and could result in serious injury or death.

Preventing Gas Leaks

Avoiding dangerous gas leaks comes down to safeguarding the integrity of gas lines and fittings. The trained professionals at Plumbing Plus have the skills and experience to install, repair, and replace your gas line properly.