Before

  • Identify your escape routes should you need to evacuate your place of work or study. Also identify your Emergency Assembly Points.
  • Identify natural gas shutoff valves for your building, especially for research laboratories.

During

If you smell natural gas odors:

  • Turn off all stoves, open flames, and other potential ignition sources.
  • Call 911.
  • Move people out of the areas in which a gas odor can be detected and open doors and windows on your way out.

If you have been told to evacuate an area due to a natural gas odor:

  • Turn off all ovens, open flames, and other potential ignition sources.
  • Open windows and doors as you evacuate the area.
  • Convene at the designated Emergency Assembly Points. If you can still smell a gas odor, continue moving farther.

After

  • Understand that it may take the fire department or the fire marshal some time to clear a building and determine that there is no remaining natural gas danger.
  • Do not re-enter the building until cleared to do so by the fire department or Duke Police.

Additional Resources