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us Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
you smell gas or hear hissing near a gas meter, regulator, or appliance

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Leave the building or area immediately and take other people with you. Once you are well away, call 911 and then the natural gas utility or propane supplier.

Do not do these things

  • Do not search for the source or move closer to the hissing.
  • Do not operate lights, switches, plugs, appliances, thermostats, doorbells, flashlights, or garage-door openers in the affected area.
  • Do not use a phone until you are safely away.
  • Do not smoke, light a flame, strike a match, or use anything that could create a spark.
  • Do not start a vehicle or electrical equipment near the suspected leak.
  • Do not operate a gas valve, tighten a fitting, test for a leak, or attempt a repair.
  • Do not delay leaving to collect belongings.
  • Do not return until emergency responders or the gas provider say it is safe.

What to do now

  1. Leave immediately by the nearest safe route. Take other people and any pets already within reach, but do not delay your exit.
  2. Move well away from the building, meter, regulator, appliance, or other suspected source.
  3. From that safe location, call 911. Give the exact address and say that you smell gas or hear hissing near gas equipment.
  4. After calling 911, contact the natural gas utility’s emergency service. If the property uses propane, contact the propane supplier instead.
  5. Warn other people to stay away only if you can do so without returning toward the suspected leak.
  6. In an apartment or shared building, tell 911 that other units may be affected. Contact building management only after you are safely outside.
  7. Stay away and follow instructions from emergency responders or the gas provider. Tell 911 if anyone is unconscious, having trouble breathing, or unable to leave safely.

What can wait

You do not need to identify the source, photograph the equipment, determine responsibility, arrange repairs, contact an insurer, or decide where to stay before leaving and making the emergency calls. Landlord, maintenance, repair, and property decisions can wait until the area has been assessed.

Important reassurance

You do not need proof that gas is leaking before leaving or calling. A faint or intermittent gas odor, or unexplained hissing near gas equipment, is enough reason to move away and let trained responders investigate.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps during a suspected gas leak. Inspection, repairs, service restoration, tenancy issues, and property decisions may require emergency responders, the gas provider, a qualified technician, the property owner, or other specialist support.

Important note

This is general safety information, not emergency, medical, legal, or property-repair advice. Follow instructions from 911, the fire department, and the natural gas utility or propane supplier for the specific situation.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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