Propane Safety Information

If You Detect a Gas Leak

• Immediately evacuate everyone from the house and call your local propane provider or the fire department from a neighbor’s telephone.
• Learn what propane smells like. Propane retailers print scratch-and-sniff pamphlets to help your family recognize its distinctive odor.
• Call 811 before you dig. Know where gas lines are located so you won’t damage them when digging or working in the yard.
• Change or clean furnace filters regularly as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Don’t store cleaning fluids, oil-soaked rags, gasoline, or other flammable liquids near a gas-burning appliance, where vapors could be ignited by the pilot light.

If You’re Running Out of Gas

Serious safety hazards, including fire or explosion, can result. So, don’t run out of gas.

• If your propane tank runs out of gas, any pilot lights on your appliances will go out. This can be extremely dangerous.
• If an appliance valve or a gas line is left open, a leak could occur when the system is recharged with propane.
• A LEAK CHECK IS REQUIRED. In many states, a propane retailer or a qualified service technician must perform a leak check of your propane system before turning on the gas.

If You Smell Gas

1. No flames or sparks! Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire.
2. Leave the area immediately! Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
3. Shut off the gas. Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
4. Report the leak. From a neighbor’s home or other nearby building away from the gas leak, call your propane retailer right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fire department.
5. Do not return to the building or area until your propane retailer, emergency responder, or qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.
6. Get your system checked. Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or a qualified service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.

Can You Smell It?

Propane smells like rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal. Some people may have difficulty smelling propane due to their age (older people may have a less sensitive sense of smell); a medical condition; or the effects of medication, alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

Odor Loss. On rare occasions, propane can lose its odor. Several things can cause this, including:

• The presence of air, water, or rust in a propane tank or cylinder
• The passage of leaking propane through the soil

Since there is a possibility of odor loss or problems with your sense of smell, you should respond immediately to even a faint odor of gas.