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Smelling gas anywhere in your home is a serious situation, and smelling it specifically near your electrical panel raises the stakes further, since electrical arcing near a gas leak is a genuine ignition risk. This is not a situation to investigate slowly. Here is exactly what to do, from the licensed electricians at EZSMART, serving Toronto and the GTA.
Natural gas and propane are flammable and can ignite from even a small electrical spark, such as the kind that can occur inside a panel during normal breaker operation or from a loose connection. This is why gas smell near any electrical equipment, including panels, meters, or outlets, is treated as a higher priority emergency than a gas smell alone in an area with no electrical equipment nearby.
Once your gas utility and emergency services have confirmed the situation is safe, if the leak was near your electrical panel or affected any wiring, it is worth having a licensed electrician inspect the panel and surrounding area before you resume normal use. This confirms no damage occurred and that everything is functioning safely. Any necessary electrical repairs should be performed by a licensed contractor, in accordance with Electrical Safety Authority standards.
Should I call an electrician or the gas company first?
Neither, first evacuate. Call your gas utility’s emergency line and 911 once you are safely outside and away from the home.
Is it safe to open windows on my way out if I smell gas?
If you can do so quickly without delay, it may help ventilate, but do not spend time on this if it slows your evacuation. Getting everyone out safely comes first.
Can a gas smell near my panel be unrelated to my electrical system?
Yes, the smell itself is from gas, not electrical components, but the location near your panel increases ignition risk, which is why it is treated urgently.
Do I need an electrical inspection after a gas leak is fixed?
If the leak was near your panel or wiring, an inspection is a reasonable precaution to confirm everything is safe before resuming normal use.
Need a post-emergency electrical inspection after a gas leak near your panel? EZSMART provides licensed electrical inspections across Toronto and the GTA. Call 416-838-9006, and see what our customers say on our Google reviews page.
