Emergency: leave now and call from outside

Why this happens

The American Gas Association explains that utilities add an odorant called mercaptan to natural gas so a leak smells like rotten eggs, and DTE Energy adds that a leak can smell like a burnt match or make a blowing or hissing sound. CDC says carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas made by gas and oil furnaces and other fuel-burning equipment, and that its most common symptoms are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Carrier says that if you smell rotten eggs or your CO detector goes off, you should leave your home right away and call for help from a safe place. For smoke or flames, the American Red Cross rule is get out, stay out and call 911.

Do this now

1. Get everyone out now, pets included. Don't stop to look for the cause, adjust the furnace or grab belongings.
2. If it's smoke or fire, the American Red Cross says never to open a door that is warm to the touch and to use your second way out instead, to get low and go under the smoke if you must go through it, and to close doors behind you. If smoke, heat or flames block every way out, stay in a room with the door closed, put a wet towel under the door, call 911 and signal for help from a window.
3. On the way out, don't flip light switches, touch the thermostat, or use appliances, doorbells, garage door openers, flashlights or any phone. The American Gas Association and Columbia Gas warn that these can make a spark, and DTE lists them among the things not to use.
4. Don't light a match or smoke, and don't stop to open windows. Columbia Gas says to get out instead.
5. Once you are well away from the house, call 911. If you smelled gas, also call your gas utility's emergency line.
6. If anyone feels sick, tell the 911 operator. CPSC says to get to fresh air first, then call 911.
7. Stay outside until firefighters or the gas utility say it is safe to go back in.

When to stop. Don't go back inside, even if the smell fades or the alarm stops, until firefighters or the gas utility say it is safe.

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