Why might I not be able to smell a propane leak?

On rare occasions propane can lose its added odor, which is called odor fade. A leak may be hard to smell if your sense of smell is reduced by a cold, allergies, or age; if your nose has grown used to the odor; if the odorant has weakened in a new tank or pipe; if propane is leaking underground; if the odorant has adhered to surfaces; or if you are asleep. Because of this, install propane gas detectors as a backup to your sense of smell.

What should I do if I smell propane?

Put out all flames and smoking materials, do not touch electrical switches or use a phone indoors, and leave the building immediately. If it is safe, close the main supply valve on your propane tank. From a safe distance, call 911 or the fire department, then call your propane supplier. Do not go back inside until a qualified professional or emergency responders tell you it is safe.

What happens if my propane tank runs out?

Running out of propane can be dangerous. When a tank empties, the system loses pressure and air can enter the lines. Under NFPA 58, a leak check and pressure test of the system is required before service can be restored, and pilot lights must be safely relit by a qualified technician. The best protection is automatic keep-full delivery so you never run out.

Why is carbon monoxide dangerous with propane appliances?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas you cannot see or smell. It is produced when any fuel does not burn completely, which can happen if an appliance is faulty, poorly maintained, or improperly vented. Install UL-listed CO detectors on every level of your home and have your propane appliances inspected by a qualified technician at least once a year.

Our duty to warn you

Propane safety information you need to know

Q: What does propane smell like?

Propane is naturally colorless and odorless, so a strong odorant is added for your safety. Most people describe the smell as rotten eggs, a skunk's spray, or a dead animal. Make sure everyone in your home knows what propane smells like before an emergency happens.

In short

As your propane supplier, we have a responsibility to tell you how propane behaves and how to stay safe. Propane has a strong rotten-egg odor added for your protection, but a leak can sometimes be hard to smell, so we recommend propane gas detectors as a backup. If you ever smell gas, leave the building and call 911 and us from a safe distance. Please read this page, share it with your household, and keep it where you can find it.

Your safety is our highest priority. Propane is a reliable fuel when it is handled correctly, but like any fuel, it must be treated with care. The information below explains how to recognize a propane leak, what to do in an emergency, and how to protect your household from carbon monoxide. If you ever have a safety question, call us at 505-531-0082 — we are glad to help.

What propane smells like

Propane is colorless and, in its natural state, odorless. For your safety, a strong odorant is added so that leaks can be detected. Most people describe the smell as rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal. Make sure everyone in your home or business knows what propane smells like. If you or someone in your household is not sure, ask us for a free scratch-and-sniff safety brochure so you can learn to recognize the odor before an emergency ever happens.

Important: you may not always smell a leak

On rare occasions, propane can lose its added odor. This is called odor fade, and it means you should not rely on your sense of smell alone. A leak may be hard or impossible to smell because:

Your sense of smell is reduced by age, a cold, allergies, sinus congestion, or the use of tobacco or other substances.
“Smell fatigue” sets in — your nose can become used to an odor after a short time and stop noticing it.
The odorant has faded — air, water, or rust inside a new tank, cylinder, or steel pipe can weaken the odorant, especially in a new container or one whose valve was left open after it ran empty. Cold or very dry air can also reduce the smell.
The propane is leaking underground — the odor can be filtered out as the gas passes through soil.
The odorant has stuck to surfaces — it can adhere to the inside of pipes, to fabrics, or to other materials between the leak and your nose.
You are asleep — the smell may not wake you.

Because of odor fade, we strongly recommend installing propane gas detectors as an added layer of protection. Ask us which UL-listed detectors are right for your home. Never assume that an absence of odor means an absence of gas. If you suspect a leak for any reason — a hissing sound, dead vegetation near the tank, an appliance that will not stay lit, or feeling sick indoors — treat it as a leak and follow the steps below.

If you smell gas — act immediately

If you smell propane or suspect a leak, treat it as an emergency. Follow these steps in order.

Do — in this order

No flames or sparks. Put out all smoking materials and open flames at once.
Leave immediately. Get everyone out of the building and away from the area. Do not stop to gather belongings.
Shut off the gas if it is safe to reach — close the main supply valve on your tank by turning it to the right (clockwise). If you cannot safely reach it, skip this step.
Call from a safe distance. From a neighbor’s home or well away from the building, call 911 or the fire department first, then call us at 505-531-0082.
Stay out until your propane supplier or emergency responders tell you it is safe.
Get the system checked. Before using any propane appliance again, have a qualified technician confirm the system is leak-free.

Do not

Touch light switches, thermostats, or appliance controls — a switch can spark.
Use any phone, including a cell phone, inside or near the building.
Light matches or use a lighter.
Try to find the leak yourself.
Try to repair an appliance, relight a pilot light, or restart your system on your own.

Remember the order: get out, call 911, then call us. Getting everyone to safety and reaching emergency responders comes before anything else.

Watch: what to do if you suspect a gas leak

This short video walks through exactly what to do the moment you suspect a propane leak. Watch it with your family so everyone knows the steps before they ever need them.

Source: TankSpotter safety video. If the video does not load, the steps above tell you everything you need to do.

Carbon monoxide — the invisible danger

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas you cannot see or smell. It is produced when any fuel — propane, wood, oil, gasoline, or natural gas — does not burn completely. CO can build up when an appliance is faulty, poorly maintained, or improperly vented.

Symptoms of CO poisoning can feel like the flu without a fever: headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, shortness of breath, sleepiness, confusion, or chest pain. Infants, older adults, and people with heart or breathing conditions are most at risk.

Warning signs of incomplete combustion include soot or black marks around appliances and vents, an unusual or burning smell, a yellow or wavering burner flame that should be blue, and excess moisture on the inside of windows.

Protect your household:

Install UL-listed carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Have all propane appliances inspected by a qualified technician at least once a year.
Never use a propane range, oven, or outdoor grill to heat your home.
Keep vents, flues, and chimneys clear.
If a CO alarm sounds, get everyone outside to fresh air immediately, then call 911.

UL-listed CO alarm mounted on interior wall with green status light — Install UL-listed CO detectors on every level of your home.

Use qualified professionals — always

Propane appliances and equipment must be installed, serviced, and repaired only by qualified propane professionals. For your safety:

Do not install, modify, adjust, or repair valves, regulators, connectors, controls, gas lines, or any other appliance or tank part yourself.
Do not modify or tamper with your propane equipment, and do not move or paint your tank or regulator.
Have appliances inspected regularly and serviced at the first sign of a problem.
Keep your tank and gas lines protected from vehicles, livestock, equipment, and damage.
Call us before you have any gas appliance connected or disconnected.

Portable cylinders (grills, RVs, and similar): use only DOT-approved cylinders and have them requalified on schedule; never overfill — cylinders are filled to a maximum of 80% to allow for expansion; always transport and store them upright and outdoors, never inside a home, hogan, garage, or closed vehicle.

Never let your tank run empty

Running out of propane is more than an inconvenience — it can be dangerous, and out here a run-out on a cold night can leave a family without heat. If your tank runs out:

When the tank empties, the system loses pressure and air can enter the lines. Pilot lights and open valves can also let air, moisture, and a loss of odorant into the system.
Under NFPA 58, a leak check and pressure test of the whole system is required before we can refill and restart it.
Pilot lights must be safely relit by a qualified technician, never by you.
Turn off the gas valve on your tank and call us to schedule a refill and the required safety check. Do not try to restart the system yourself.

The best protection is our automatic keep-full delivery program — we watch the calendar and the weather and bring propane before you run low, so there is no run-out, no waiting, and no leak check to schedule. Ask us how to enroll so you never run out.

Propane safety in storms & power outages

Before a storm: know where your tank shutoff valve is and how to close it, and make sure your tank is secure.
After flooding or high winds: do not turn on or use any propane appliance that has been underwater or exposed to flood water until a qualified technician has inspected it. Have your whole system checked for damage and leaks.
Never use a propane generator, grill, or other outdoor propane appliance indoors or in a garage — carbon monoxide can be deadly.
If a tank has shifted, floated, or its lines look damaged, stay away and call us and emergency responders.
In winter: keep snow and ice cleared off your tank, regulator, vents, and chimney. A blocked vent can cause carbon monoxide to build up indoors. Mark your tank and the path to it so our truck can reach it.
In dry, dusty wind: keep regulator vents clear of blowing sand and debris.

Where to learn more

These independent resources offer trusted, manufacturer-neutral propane safety information:

NFPA 58 is adopted with state amendments by local authorities — always confirm specific requirements with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction.

Have a safety question?

If something does not seem right but it is not an emergency, we are glad to help. A neighbor picks up.

Call 505-531-0082

Last reviewed July 2026. General propane safety information only; always follow the instructions of your propane provider and local emergency services. Review this information annually with everyone in your household.