Propane Safety Information

Know how to keep your loved ones and your home safe

The use of propane gas is largely safe for homes located in northeast Wisconsin, due to the regulations that are enforced by government entities at all levels as well as high industry standards.

However, an understanding of propane safety practices is important for anyone who uses propane in their home.

What should I do if I smell gas?

When you use propane in your home, every adult living there needs to know what to do if they smell gas.

Knowing the smell of propane is important for everyone. Propane has no smell on its own. An odorant is added so that it can be detected. The odorant is often described as smelling like rotten eggs.

If you smell that rotten-egg smell, follow the instructions below. These steps are essential for protecting lives and property and must be taken as soon as possible.

• Extinguish any sources of ignition, like candles or cigarettes.
• Get everyone out of the house IMMEDIATELY.
• Don’t use any lights, thermostats, telephones or appliances until you are safely out of the home and away from anything emitting gas.
• If you can get to the propane tank or cylinder safely, close the gas shutoff valve.
• Once you are a safe distance away, call 911 and Dale Gas & Oil.
• It’s important to give emergency personnel and qualified propane-service technicians time to check for escaped gas, do any needed repairs, and determine that it is safe for you to return.
• Stay away from the site of the leak and do not attempt to turn on the propane supply valve, even if you no longer smell gas.
• A trained propane-service technician is needed to repair the leak, carefully inspect all gas appliances and relight all pilots.
• Do not return to the site of the leak until you have clearance to do so from first responders or the service technician.

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has developed the videos below so that you can find out all about propane safety, with topics including the safe handling and transport of propane cylinders, care of propane appliances and more.