Smell Gas in Your House? Leave Now, Then Call
Short answerIf you smell gas in your house, leave immediately and take everyone with you. Do not flip switches, use a phone, or light anything inside. Once you are a safe distance away, call 911 and your gas company. Do not go back until emergency crews or the utility say it is safe.
Safety first
- Get everyone out now. Do not stop to look for the source.
- Do not touch light switches, appliances or thermostats. Do not use a phone, start a car or light a flame near the smell. Walk away.
- Call 911 and your gas company from a safe distance away from the smell, such as outside or at a neighbor's home.
- Do not go back in until responders or the utility tell you it is safe. Only a qualified professional should turn the gas back on.
- On propane? The same steps apply. Leave the building, get to a safe distance, then call 911. Do not go back until you are told it is safe.
Likely causes
| Cause | How to tell | What fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Leak at a gas appliance connection or valve | The smell is strongest near a stove, furnace, water heater or dryer, or you hear hissing. | Leave and call. A pro repairs the connection after the utility makes the area safe. |
| Stove burner left on or pilot out | The smell is near the stove, and a knob may be slightly on. | Do not stay to check. Leave and call. Let responders clear the home. |
| Leak in house piping or outside near the meter | The smell is throughout the home or outdoors, even with appliances off. | Move away and call. The Wisconsin regulator says the utility maintains piping up to and including the meter and the customer is responsible after it. Ask your utility how it works in your area. |
| Something other than gas | A rotten egg smell can also come from drains. You cannot safely tell the difference. | Treat it as gas until the utility checks it. |
Why this is a job for a professional
- Call 911 and your gas company first, every time, from outside.
- After the utility shuts off the gas, have a licensed plumber or gas fitter repair the home's piping or connection. Call an appliance technician if the leak is in an appliance.
- Ask the utility: where was the leak? Is the leak on my side of the meter? Is it red-tagged? Ask the pro: will you pressure test the line? Who turns the gas back on and relights the pilots?
Common questions
What should I do if I smell gas in my house?
Leave right away with everyone in the home. Do not touch switches or use a phone inside. Call 911 and your gas company from a safe distance outside, and wait for them to say it is safe.
What does a gas leak smell like?
Gas utilities add an odorant that smells like rotten eggs, sulfur or garlic. You may also hear hissing near an appliance or meter. Some gas may have no smell, so do not rely on your nose alone.
Can I open windows or turn off the gas before leaving?
Getting out comes first. Agencies differ on the details: some say to open doors and windows as you leave, and to shut off the outside valve only if you can do it safely. Never delay leaving to do either.
Is a gas smell the same as carbon monoxide?
No. Carbon monoxide has no smell, so you only learn about it from an alarm or from symptoms like headache and dizziness. If a CO alarm sounds, also go outside and call 911.
Can natural gas leak without a smell?
Yes, so leave even if the smell is faint or you only suspect a leak. As an example of state guidance, Indiana's utility regulator says the smell may fade or be harder to detect. Get far from the building before you call 911 and your gas company, and wait until they say it is safe. Source
What are the signs of a gas leak outside my house?
Leave the area first if you notice any of these. As an example of state guidance, Indiana's utility regulator lists a rotten egg smell, a hissing sound, bubbling water, clouds of vapor, frozen ground in warm weather and dead plants or grass. Call 911 and your gas company once you are far away. Source
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Last verified 2026-11-01
Sources
- Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission: Pipeline Emergencies — Leave immediately, do not use switches or phones inside, call 911 and your utility from a safe distance, and wait to be told it is safe
- Wisconsin Public Service Commission: Natural Gas Consumer Safety — Odor description, hissing sounds, avoiding ignition sources, gas rising and collecting in buildings, and who is responsible for piping past the meter
- Ready.gov: Safety Skills — Calling from a neighbor's home, and only a qualified professional turning gas back on
- CPSC: Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet — CO has separate symptoms and alarm steps, and is not to be searched for
- University of Pennsylvania Public Safety: Propane Leak or Fire Emergency Procedure — On a propane leak: evacuate to a safe distance, call 911, and do not return until told to
- ATSDR/CDC: Hydrogen Sulfide ToxFAQs — Sewer gas contains hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs
General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.