Suspecting a gas leak is a frightening experience, and any suspicions of one, whether natural gas, carbon monoxide, or another type of gas, should be taken very seriously.
Knowing how to respond to a gas leak can mean the difference between life and death. Find out exactly how to deal with a gas leak in 5 simple steps, and learn what you should do after a gas leak occurs.
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Deal with a Gas Leak in 5 Steps
Knowing what to do with a gas leak is crucial to mitigating the situation as fast as possible and avoiding any unpleasant symptoms. Remain calm and follow these tips.
1. Evacuate children, elderly, and pets
Get everyone out of the property immediately, starting with children, elderly people, and those with existing health issues. Take pets with you and don’t stop to collect belongings. If the weather is bad, arrange for everyone to stay with relatives, neighbors, or friends while the property is assessed.
2. Open all the windows in the property
If it is safe and won’t delay you, open windows and doors on your way out to improve airflow and encourage oxygen circulation. This does present risks for home security, so make sure security cameras are viewing vulnerable areas and motion detection push notifications are turned on.
3. Turn off the gas at the mains
Turn off any stovetop or gas oven that is on. Shut off the gas at the mains only if you can reach it quickly and safely; if you can’t, leave without it. If the leak is coming from a propane canister, do not approach it.
Likewise, do not flip any switches or touch any electrical devices. An electrical spark can easily ignite gas.
4. Call 911 or the gas service provider
From a safe location outside, call your gas provider’s emergency line and 911. Don’t use a phone or any electrical device inside the property.
5. Re-enter the property after confirmation from a professional
Do not go back inside the property until the professional that is sent to assess it has given the all-clear.
What To Do After a Gas Leak
The professional who comes to assess your property should give you a full run-down on what to do in the immediate aftermath of the gas leak. This will be different depending on the cause and type of gas leak.
After Minimal Exposure to Gas
- Inform the professional assessing the property if exhibiting symptoms like headaches.
- They can advise on whether to call emergency services, visit the emergency department, or book a doctor’s appointment.
- In most cases, treatment is not necessary. Stay out of the property until instructed to return, and take plenty of water. If pregnant, seek medical advice immediately.
After Prolonged Exposure to Gas
- Carbon monoxide poisoning will be treated immediately. Acting fast will prevent complications that could prove fatal. Insist on having a medic take blood if vomiting, fainting, nosebleeds, or respiratory problems have occurred.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning is determined via a rapid blood test. Once CO levels reach 70 parts per million and above, symptoms become more noticeable.
- If the blood test indicates gas poisoning, hospital will be necessary. There, pure oxygen will be administered to remove excessive CO from the blood.
- Oxygen will be given through either a mask or ventilator for moderate poisoning.
- An oxygen chamber may be necessary for those exhibiting signs of severe poisoning, as well as for those that are pregnant.
Freon, Fridge or AC Unit Gas Leak
- Check for a product warranty or receipt.
- Inform the company immediately before throwing out the unit.
- Have a professional repair the product causing the leak. Turn it off until they arrive.
How to Recover After Natural Gas Exposure?
While natural gas exposure can make a person unwell and, with enough of it, asphyxiate, it isn’t ‘poisonous’ like CO is. As such, physical symptoms of ‘natural gas poisoning’ don’t exist, nor is there any specific natural gas poisoning treatment, because it is non-toxic.
Symptoms of exposure to natural gas will, however, be similar to CO exposure; at best a headache, at worst suffocation.
Once the property is sufficiently aired out and occupants have been instructed to return, ensure plenty of water and keep windows open to improve airflow.
Conclusion
While there is no such thing as natural gas poisoning, natural gas can make a person very unwell following exposure, and even asphyxiate them if the composition of air is altered significantly. Carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous because it is poisonous.
Ultimately, how to deal with a gas leak of any kind is similar: evacuate everyone from the building, open windows and doors on the way out if it is safe, shut off the gas supply only if you can do so safely, and call the gas supplier or 911 from outside.
Recommended reading: 8 Common Gas Leak Symptoms You Need To Know Now