According to the American Gas Association, more than 73 million residential and commercial buildings are powered by natural gas. It is a highly effective fuel source but also incredibly flammable, leading to higher risks of fire and explosions.

In a previous blog, we discussed the various signs that your home might have a gas leak, and why it’s important to recognize these signs early on. To learn more about that, click here.

If you suspect that your home has a gas leak, it’s important to act quickly and do the following:

Evacuate the Area
Call Your Local Utility Company or Emergency Response Number
Call a gas plumber

Keep reading for a more in-depth guide of how to handle this situation.

1. Evacuate the Area

As soon as you suspect there is a gas leak in your home, evacuate the area immediately. Don’t flip any light switches or make any phone calls until you’ve left the premises as this could cause a spark and ignite any gas that’s in the air.

2. Call Your Local Utility Company or Emergency Response Number

Once you’ve made it safely out of your home, call your local utility or emergency response number and alert them to the gas leak. In New York City, the two gas providers are Con Edison and National Grid. Stay out of your home until emergency responders have come and cleared the area.

3. Call a Gas Plumber

The utility company will be able to shut your gas off and make sure the air is clear before allowing you back in your home, but next, you’ll need to fix whatever caused the leak in the first place. That’s where an experienced gas plumber comes in.

At AWS Plumbing, Heating & Cooling we have the experience and qualifications that are necessary when dealing with a problem of this magnitude. For all of your gas leak prevention and response needs, trust our team of experts for the job. Visit us online or contact us today at (516) 217-2196.