Quick answer
If you smell gas, leave the house now, even if the smell is mild. Don't flip switches, use a phone, or light anything inside. Once you're a safe distance away, call 911 and NW Natural's 24-hour emergency line at 800-882-3377. Don't go back in until responders say it's safe.
Key facts
| First step | Leave the house now, even if the smell is mild |
|---|---|
| Don't use inside | Switches, phones, flashlights, lighters, matches |
| Call from outside | 911 and NW Natural at 800-882-3377 |
| What gas smells like | Rotten eggs or sulfur |
| Don't | Search for the leak or turn gas back on |
What should I do if I smell gas in my house?
Leave right away, then call for help from a safe distance outside.
- 1Leave now. Get everyone out, including pets, even if the smell seems mild.
- 2On the way out, don't use light switches, phones, flashlights, or anything with a battery. Don't light matches or lighters, and don't start a car.
- 3Move a safe distance away from the house.
- 4From there, call 911 and NW Natural's 24-hour emergency line at 800-882-3377. If another company supplies your gas, call its emergency line.
- 5Stay out until emergency responders or the gas company tell you it's safe.
Don't search for the source of the leak. NW Natural says to leave immediately, then call.
What does a gas leak smell like?
A gas leak usually smells like rotten eggs or sulfur. NW Natural adds a safe but unpleasant odorant, called mercaptan, to its gas so leaks are easy to notice.
NW Natural says to leave no matter what, even if the smell seems mild. If you smell gas outdoors, it says to leave the entire area right away.
What should I not do if I smell gas?
Each of these can make a spark or put you at risk. NW Natural lists most of them in its own gas leak steps.
- Don't try to find the leak.
- Don't turn any electrical switch on or off, including lights.
- Don't use a phone or any battery-powered device until you're outside and away.
- Don't light a match or lighter, and don't start a car.
- Don't turn gas valves back on or relight a pilot light.
- If gas catches fire, don't try to put it out. Get away, call the fire department, then call NW Natural.
What happens after the gas company checks my home?
Once the gas company or fire crew says it's safe, follow their instructions about your gas and your equipment. If they find a problem with your furnace or other gas equipment, it needs a repair before it runs again.
If your gas meter was turned off, don't turn it back on yourself. NW Natural says to call them so they can check it.
How can I be ready for a gas leak?
Know how everyone gets out of the house, and save NW Natural's emergency number in your phone: 800-882-3377.
NW Natural notes that home natural gas detectors work much like smoke or carbon monoxide alarms. If you get one, choose a UL-approved detector and follow the maker's instructions for placement and care. A detector doesn't replace your nose. If you smell gas, leave.
Common questions
Can I call from my cell phone inside the house?
No, NW Natural says not to use a phone or any mobile device with a battery near a suspected leak. Get outside and a safe distance away first, then call 911 and 800-882-3377.
What if the gas smell is faint?
Leave anyway, because NW Natural says to go even if the smell seems mild. A faint smell still needs a check by the gas company.
Should I open windows before I leave?
No, getting out comes first, so don't stop to open windows or look for the source. Leave, then call from a safe distance.
Should I turn off my gas meter?
Not on your way out. NW Natural says leaving is the priority, and it describes shutting off the meter for natural disasters, when it's safe to do. If the meter does get turned off, don't turn it back on yourself; call NW Natural to check it.
What if NW Natural isn't my gas company?
Call 911, then your own gas company's emergency line, from outside. The steps are the same: leave, don't make sparks, and call from a safe distance. Save that number in your phone now.
Sources
- Smell natural gas or rotten eggs in your home? Smell. Go. Let us know. — NW Natural. Checked 2026-09-24.
Last updated: · Reviewed by: HVAC Repair Guys