What Does Propane Smell Like?

When it comes to propane and keeping your family and North Carolina home safe, your nose knows best!

Propane is naturally odorless, but propane manufacturers add a chemical to it to give propane a distinct odor so that it smells like rotten eggs. That smell is there to make detecting a propane leak easier.

What to do if you smell propane indoors

If you smell that rotten-egg smell in your home, don’t panic. Act quickly and follow these instructions and precautions.

• Get everyone out of the house IMMEDIATELY
• On your way out, don’t touch anything that could create a spark, like lamps, light switches, telephones, appliances, and cell phones
• Put out any ignition sources like cigarettes, cigars or candles
• If you can safely get to it, turn off the propane supply at the main tank (By the way, contact us today if you don’t know how, because all of the adults in your home need to know this)
• Once you’re safely away from the house, use your cellphone or a neighbor’s phone to call 911
• Let first responders and service technicians do their job, and don’t try to go back to the house until they give the all-clear
• If your propane system is turned off for any reason, including a leak, it must be inspected and pressure-tested before it can be turned back on. Also, a professional propane technician will have to inspect all propane appliances and re-light all of the pilots

What to do if you smell propane outdoors

An outside propane smell (or a hissing sound that could be propane gas escaping) is also a cause for concern. Please, do not try to locate the source of the leak yourself. Instead, you should get away from the area where you smell gas and contact emergency services. Please do not attempt to use your cell phone in an area where you smell gas, as it can produce a spark.

Additionally, you should not operate any vehicle in the area where you smell gas. You should do your best to prevent other people from entering the affected area.

What happens if you inhale propane?

Although propane is a non-toxic fuel, it can cause asphyxiation. According to the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), symptoms of propane gas inhalation at low levels are:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Coughing
• Irregular heartbeat

At higher levels, you may experience:

• Pain or numbness in limbs
• Convulsions
• Diarrhea
• Rapid loss of consciousness
• Asphyxiation
• Heart Failure

Is there a detector for propane leaks?

If your home has any fuel-burning appliance (like a propane range or gas log) or an attached garage, you must install carbon monoxide (CO) detectors on every level of your home and outside all bedrooms. Test them twice a year and replace the batteries each time. CO detectors must be replaced every five years.

But CO detectors won’t alert you to a propane leak. We strongly recommend that you install propane leak detectors in your home. These devices can detect gas leaks in the vicinity. They’re inexpensive, and you can find them at hardware and home improvement stores. Be sure to get a device that is UL-tested and certified.

You can visit our Propane Safety page to learn more. And don’t hesitate to contact Parker Gas to learn more about keeping safe in your home.