Gas Leak at Home: What to Do Right Now (Melbourne Safety Guide)

Smelling gas at home is one of the most serious household emergencies you can face. Natural gas is highly flammable, and a leak can lead to explosion, fire, or carbon monoxide poisoning. Here’s exactly what to do — and critically, what not to do — if you suspect a gas leak at your Melbourne property.

Step-by-Step: What to Do If You Smell Gas

1. Don’t touch any electrical switches or devices. A spark from a light switch is enough to ignite gas. Don’t turn lights on or off, don’t use your phone inside, don’t press the garage door button.
2. Leave the property immediately. Get everyone out — people and pets. Don’t stop to grab belongings.
3. Turn off the gas meter if it’s safe to reach without entering the building. The isolation valve is usually beside the meter — turn it 90° to close it.
4. Call from outside or from a neighbour’s property. Once you’re outside and away from the building, call a licensed gas fitter on 0468 013 012 or the gas emergency line on 1800 427 532.
5. Don’t re-enter until a licensed gas fitter has inspected and cleared the property.

Signs You May Have a Gas Leak

• Smell of rotten eggs or sulphur — Mercaptan is added to natural gas specifically so you can detect leaks
• Hissing sound near a gas appliance, pipe, flexible hose, or meter
• Dead or dying vegetation in one patch of your lawn or garden (underground leak)
• Bubbling in puddles or wet soil near gas pipes after rain
• Unexplained spike in your gas bill
• Headache, nausea, or dizziness when you’re inside that resolves when you go outside

What NOT to Do

• ❌ Don’t use any electrical switches, appliances, or power points
• ❌ Don’t light a flame, candle, or cigarette
• ❌ Don’t use your mobile phone inside the building
• ❌ Don’t re-enter until cleared by a licensed gas fitter
• ❌ Don’t try to locate or fix the leak yourself

After the Emergency: Getting a Gas Leak Repaired

Once a licensed gas fitter has attended and made the property safe, they’ll locate the source of the leak using electronic detection equipment and carry out the repair. Common causes include:

• Failed flexible gas hose connections to appliances
• Corroded or damaged gas pipes
• Faulty gas appliance regulators
• Loose or deteriorated fittings

After any gas leak repair, the plumber must pressure-test the system before reconnecting the gas supply.