For your safety, Washington Gas adds an unpleasant odorant called mercaptan so you will be able to detect escaping natural gas. Call the company to receive a scratch-and-sniff sample of mercaptan.

• If you smell natural gas, call the Washington Gas Emergency Leak Line at (703) 750-1400. If at anytime you are concerned about your safety, call 911.

• If the odor is very strong or you hear a blowing or hissing noise, vacate the building immediately, leaving doors unlocked as you go. Do nothing that could create an ignition source – do not light a match or use any type of phone or battery-powered equipment. Do not turn electrical equipment or light switches on or off or start your car. Call 911 and the Emergency Leak Line only after you reach a safe distance. Follow the same precautions if you are outside and smell gas, hear hissing or blowing noises, or see dirt being thrown into the air.

• Washington Gas recommends that customers should not shut off natural gas service to their homes or business as a preventive or preparatory action in the event of an emergency.

• In the case natural gas service is disrupted, Washington Gas recommends that customers call (703) 750-1000 to restore service. Customers should not attempt to restore natural gas service themselves.

• Washington Gas distributes natural gas through a network of underground pipes and service lines. If a leak should occur, it is possible for gas to migrate into buildings, including those without natural gas service.

• If customers want to learn how to shut off natural gas service to their homes or businesses, they should contact a qualified licensed natural gas contractor.

• Range-top burners or ovens should never be used for home-heating purposes. Continuous burning can lead to the production of carbon monoxide and create fire hazards.

For additional information about natural gas safety, please visit the Safety Information page on www.washingtongas.com.