Smelling gas in your home is one of those moments that jolts you straight into alertness – and rightly so. If you’re searching for gas leak what to do, it’s absolutely critical that you act fast, you stay calm, and you follow a clear sequence rather than guessing your way through it.
Knowing what to do with a gas leak before it happens means you’re not trying to remember the right steps while your heart’s racing and the smell’s getting stronger – so this really is an important guide. It walks through:
- Exactly what to do
- What a leak can actually do to you and your household
- And who to call here on the Gold Coast once you’re safely clear of the property.
What to do if there’s a gas leak: Step by step
Knowing what to do if gas leak situations arise comes down to a handful of clear actions, done in the right order and without delay. So let’s get this in the proper order…
1. Don’t create a spark
It’s easy to forget under pressure – but remembering it could save your property and your life.
Anywhere near the affected area, strictly avoid:
- Flicking light switches
- Lighting matches
- Using a doorbell
- Even using your mobile phone.
Gas vapour can easily ignite from the smallest spark, so anything electrical stays off until you’re well clear.
2. Get everyone outside (including your pets)
Open a path to the nearest exit and get every person and animal out of the house and away from the immediate area. Don’t stop to gather belongings.
If you suspect the leak might be significant, move well away from the property line as well, not just out the front door.
3. Leave doors and windows as they are
It’s tempting to fling windows open on your way out to air the place, but pause if doing so means walking back through the affected area or operating an electric mechanism.
Getting out safely takes priority over ventilation.
4. Turn off the gas at the meter (if you can)
Only do this if it’s directly on your exit path and doesn’t require you to linger. If reaching it means going further into the property or delaying your exit, skip it and deal with it once help arrives.
5. Call for help once you’re a safe distance away
What to do if you suspect gas leak emergencies? Sometimes, things are so serious that you just need to get out as the very first move:
- The odour is very strong
- You hear loud hissing
- Someone is feeling unwell.
What can a gas leak do to you?
It’s worth understanding just how urgent it can be to have gotten away from the leak. Because even relatively low-level exposure can bring on headaches, dizziness, nausea, and irritation to your eyes and throat, while heavier or prolonged exposure can lead to confusion, difficulty breathing, and in serious cases even unconsciousness – or worse.
Gas is also extremely flammable, meaning the immediate physical risk to your health is only part of the danger. Kids, older household members, and pets tend to be affected faster and more severely than the average adult, which is part of why getting everyone out quickly matters more than trying to assess the situation yourself.
What to do if you smell gas leak signs but aren’t sure
A faint, fleeting whiff is different to a strong, persistent smell, and what to do if you smell gas leak odours depends a bit on which one you’re dealing with.
Brief & mild?If nobody’s experiencing any symptoms, it’s still worth getting some fresh air through the house and getting it checked, but you likely don’t need to evacuate outright.
Strong smell? Especially if anyone in the house feels unwell, treat it as the real thing and follow the evacuation steps above without hesitation. When in doubt, always assume it’s genuine. The cost of a wasted call is nothing compared to the alternative.
Who do I contact if there is a gas leak?
Once you and your household (and pets) are safely outside, here’s exactly who to call, in order, for Gold Coast properties.
Just 3 steps for this gas leak who to call:
1. Triple zero (000) for anything serious
If there’s a strong smell, a hissing sound, visible damage to a gas line, or anyone is feeling unwell, call 000 immediately. This is also the right call if there’s been a fire, explosion, or any risk to life or property.
Don’t wait to see if it settles down on its own.
2. Allgas Energy on 1300 763 106
Allgas is the gas distribution network operator covering the Gold Coast, so for anything related to the gas main, the street pipework, or your meter, this is your next call after 000 for anything non-life-threatening.
They can dispatch someone to investigate and make the area safe.
3. A licensed gasfitter for anything past the meter
If the leak turns out to be in your home’s internal pipework or connected appliances, rather than the network side, you’ll need a licensed gasfitter to repair it. This is where Gold Coast Plumbing and Hot Water comes in, since our team handles exactly this kind of work safely and to code.
So if you’ve had a gas scare recently, or you just want your gas appliances and connections checked over before it becomes a problem, give Gold Coast Plumbing and Hot Water a call. We’ll make sure everything’s running the way it should.
