If you smell natural gas, or even suspect a gas leak, leave your home immediately and call our 24-hour emergency service line at 1-800-544-5606 from a neighbor's home or a mobile phone.

Don't light a match or candle, flip a switch, operate any appliances or even use the phone. If you are smoking, extinguish your cigarette immediately. Don't open the windows in an attempt to ventilate. Don't try to find the leak yourself. Remain outside until we can send someone to check on the source of the odor.

An odor of gas outside your home should be reported just as you would report an inside odor.

So remember:

No matter where you smell gas in or around your home - and whether it's a faint smell or a distinct odor - leave the household immediately. Use a neighbor's phone, cellular phone or pay phone to call Columbia Gas for emergency help. Our operators are available 24 hours a day. The call to our hot line is free at 1-800-544-5606.

Wait for a Columbia representative, who will arrive and need to enter your home to determine the source of the odor and to inspect your equipment. The source could be indoors or outdoors. Gas leaks from service lines or street mains could migrate into your home through walls or drain lines. Don't investigate on your own.