I Smell Gas: What to Do Right Now
Updated September 18, 2026
Can I do this myself?
Emergency
This is an emergency, not a DIY repair. Leave the building now and call for help from outside; do not try to find or fix the leak yourself.
If you smell gas, leave now. Read the rest of this page once you are outside and safe. A gas leak can cause a fire or explosion if the gas meets a spark or flame, and high concentrations can also displace oxygen in a closed room.
Natural gas and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas, sold in cylinders and very common for cooking in India and many other countries) have almost no smell on their own. Gas suppliers add a chemical called mercaptan, which smells strongly of rotten eggs or sulfur, so leaks can be noticed. If you notice that smell, a hissing sound near a gas line, appliance or cylinder, or dead plants over an outdoor gas line, treat it as a leak.
The steps below are about getting people safe and getting the right help. There is no repair for a homeowner to do. Finding and fixing gas leaks is work for your gas utility, LPG distributor or a licensed gas technician, and the building should not be re-entered until they say it is safe.
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Signs of the problem
- A rotten egg or sulfur smell indoors or near a gas meter, appliance or cylinder
- A hissing or whistling sound near a gas line, appliance, regulator or cylinder
- A gas stove burner that smells of gas when off, or a pilot light that keeps going out
- Dizziness, headache, nausea or tiredness that improves when you go outside
- Dead or dying plants, or bubbling in standing water, over an outdoor gas line
Common causes
Burner or valve left on
Most commonA stove knob turned on without a flame, or a burner that went out after a pot boiled over, releases gas into the room. This is common and easy to overlook.
Loose or worn connection, hose or regulator
Most commonFlexible connectors and rubber hoses between the gas supply and appliances, and LPG cylinder regulators, wear, crack or loosen over time.
Faulty appliance
SometimesA failing gas control, burner or pilot assembly on a stove, water heater, furnace, boiler or dryer can leak gas.
Damaged gas line
Less commonCorrosion, building work or digging outside can damage gas pipes. Leaks from underground lines may be noticed outdoors first.
Stay safe
- Critical:Get everyone out of the building now, including pets. Don’t stop to look for the leak.
- Critical:Don’t operate anything that could spark: light switches, electrical plugs, doorbells, appliances, lifts or the breaker or fuse box. Don’t use phones inside.
- Critical:No flames or smoking: don’t light matches, lighters or candles, and never use a flame to search for a leak.
- Don’t start a car or open an electric garage door in an attached garage.
- Leave the door open behind you as you go, and open windows only if they are on your way out.
- Don’t go back inside until your gas utility, LPG distributor or emergency services say it is safe.
What to do right now
- 1
Leave immediately
Get everyone, including children, older relatives and pets, out of the building right away. Don’t stop to gather belongings or search for the source. In an apartment block, leave by the stairs, not the lift.
- 2
Don’t create sparks or flames
On your way out, don’t switch lights on or off, unplug anything, ring doorbells or use your phone inside. Don’t light anything. Any of these can ignite gas.
Warning: Even switching a light off can create a spark. Leave switches exactly as they are.
- 3
LPG cylinder: turn off the regulator only if it is right there and safe
If you use an LPG cylinder and the regulator is right beside you on your way out, and you can reach it without delay, turn the regulator knob to Off (or fit the safety cap if the regulator has been removed). Don’t go looking for it, don’t move the cylinder, and don’t stay to check if it worked. LPG is heavier than air and collects at floor level, so leave promptly.
Warning: Never try to find a leak with a match, lighter or any flame. Never try to fix the regulator, hose or cylinder yourself.
- 4
Leave the door open
Leave the door open behind you to let gas disperse, and open a window only if it is directly on your way out. Don’t go back in to open more windows.
- 5
Move well away
Go to a safe distance outside, well away from the building, and upwind if you can tell. Don’t start a car parked in an attached garage or right next to the building.
- 6
Call for help from outside
From a safe distance, call your gas utility’s emergency line, or your LPG distributor’s emergency helpline (in India, the LPG emergency helpline is 1906). If you can’t reach them, or if anyone feels unwell, call your local emergency number such as 911, 112 or 999. Tell them you smell gas, the address, and whether you use piped gas or an LPG cylinder.
Tip: Save your gas utility or LPG distributor emergency number in your phone now, so you have it when you need it.
- 7
Warn neighbours if needed
If you live in a shared building or the smell is outdoors and strong, warn neighbours from outside by knocking or calling, without using doorbells or entering. Follow emergency services’ instructions on evacuating others.
- 8
Wait to be cleared before returning
Don’t go back inside until the gas utility, LPG distributor, fire service or a licensed gas technician has checked the building and told you it is safe. Before using any gas appliance again, make sure the leak has been properly repaired.
Before you go back in
- Everyone is outside and at a safe distance
- The gas utility, LPG distributor or emergency services have been called
- A qualified person has checked the building and told you it is safe to return
- The leaking appliance, hose or line has been repaired by a qualified technician before use
When to stop and call a professional
- Any gas smell inside the home: leave and call your gas utility, LPG distributor or emergency number from outside
- A hissing sound from a gas line, meter, regulator or cylinder
- Anyone has headaches, dizziness, nausea or breathing difficulty (call your emergency number)
- A gas smell outdoors near the meter or over a buried gas line
- Any repair, replacement or reconnection of gas pipes, hoses, regulators or appliances
How to prevent it
- Have gas appliances and connections checked regularly by a qualified technician or your LPG distributor, as recommended.
- Replace LPG rubber hoses when they show cracks or reach the replacement date printed on them, using only approved hoses.
- Turn off the LPG regulator when not cooking for long periods, such as overnight or when travelling.
- Never leave a gas stove unattended while cooking, and check knobs are fully off afterwards.
- Install a gas detector if appropriate for your gas type, plus carbon monoxide alarms near fuel-burning appliances.
Frequently asked questions
What does a gas leak smell like?
Most piped natural gas and LPG are treated with mercaptan so they smell like rotten eggs or sulfur. If you notice that smell, especially near appliances, the meter or a cylinder, treat it as a leak and leave.
Is it safe to open windows if I smell gas?
Only if they are directly on your way out. Don’t stay inside to open windows or ventilate. Getting out quickly matters more. Leave the door open behind you.
Can I use my phone if I smell gas?
Don’t use it inside the building. Go outside to a safe distance first, then call your gas utility, LPG distributor or emergency number.
Should I turn off the gas at the meter?
Only if your gas utility instructs you to and it is outside and easy to reach. Don’t go looking for valves inside. For LPG, only turn off the cylinder regulator if it is right beside you on your way out.
When is it safe to go back inside?
Only when your gas utility, LPG distributor, fire service or a licensed gas technician has checked the building and told you it is safe. Don’t go back in to check for yourself.
Could it be sewer gas instead?
Sewer gas can smell similar, usually strongest at a drain or toilet. But if you can’t tell the difference, always treat it as a gas leak and leave. Once you are cleared, the sewer smell guide can help.
This guide is general information, not professional advice. Homes differ, so follow your product manuals and local codes. If anything looks different from what's described, or you feel unsure, stop and call a qualified professional. In an emergency, leave the area and call your local emergency number.
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