Detecting a Leak

To report a natural gas odor or emergency, leave the area immediately, call 911 and then call us at 800-458-4251. Natural gas leaks are not always detected by smell alone. It's important to use all your senses to recognize one.

SMELL

The sense of smell for most people is a highly reliable indicator of a potential natural gas release. We odorize the natural gas we deliver with mercaptan for the safety of our customers. The smell is often described as having a rotten egg or sulfur-like odor.
There are some situations where the odor added to natural gas may not be detected, such as loss of smell, getting used to the odor over time or the odor fading due to pipe material, pressure, natural gas flow conditions, soil type and other factors.

LOOK

When outside: Blowing dirt, persistent bubbling in puddles, standing water or dead vegetation in an otherwise healthy area are signs of a possible leak.
When inside: If you see a yellow flame instead of a blue flame on your range, furnace or water heater, it’s a warning sign that the natural gas is not burning properly.
This can lead to an increased potential for carbon monoxide poisoning as well as higher fuel bills.

LISTEN

An unusual noise like a hissing or roaring sound can indicate a leak on a pipeline. If you hear a hissing noise around your natural gas piping, meter or appliances, or if your natural gas appliance fails to ignite, you may have a natural gas leak.
Natural gas is flammable and can be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.

Methane Detectors

Methane detectors are available for purchase and help keep your family safe by detecting natural gas in your home. To make sure they work properly, customers should follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and maintenance.

If you smell natural gas or observe any of the warning signs above:

LEAVE the area immediately.
DON'T use electrical equipment.
CALL 911 and Oklahoma Natural Gas at 800-458-4251.