Natural gas safety: report gas smells, install and obey alarms

November 03, 2023

This article was published more than 6 months ago. Some information may no longer be current

Natural gas safety: report gas smells, install and obey alarms

As winter approaches and more gas-fueled appliances are in use, Utilities Kingston urges its customers to heed the following gas safety tips. 

Report gas smells or hissing

Did you know that an odourant is added to natural gas so that you can smell it in case of a gas leak? This compound – mercaptan – has a strong ‘rotten egg’ smell that helps keep you safe.  

If you don’t have a sense of smell, it’s important to install a natural gas alarm in your home, in accordance with manufacturer directions. 

If you are inside and smell gas or hear hissing, leave immediately. Do not do anything that could create a spark – don’t switch a light on or off, and don’t use cell phones or lighters, for example. If you are outside, clear the area and do not use lighters or start vehicles. Call 9-1-1 when you are safe.  

Prevent carbon monoxide in your home

Help prevent carbon monoxide (CO) in your home by getting all fuel-burning appliances inspected annually, by a registered contractor. Visit COSafety.ca to find a registered contractor near you. 

Install and obey CO alarms:   

CO is an invisible, tasteless and odourless gas that can kill you in high concentrations. 
If your CO alarm sounds, and no one is suffering from symptoms of CO poisoning, check to see if the battery needs replacing, or the alarm has reached its "end-of-life" before calling 9-1-1. (Low battery and end-of-life beeps are normally different than the alarm. If you’re not 100 per cent sure why the alarm is activating, dial 9-1-1 and wait outside). 
Ontario Fire Code requires all homes (whether single family, semi, or other) with fuel-burning appliances (including fireplaces) and/or attached garages to be equipped with CO alarms. These alarms should be located outside of all sleeping areas. For added protection, install a carbon monoxide alarm on every storey of the home according to manufacturer’s instructions. 
If you live in a condo or apartment building that has a service room, CO alarms must be installed in the service room and adjacent to each sleeping area of all units above, below and beside the service room. 
In condo or apartment buildings that have a garage, CO alarms must be installed adjacent to each sleeping area of all units above, below and beside the garage.