What is the primary safety action when a gas leak is detected from a service meter or appliance?

• A. Evacuate the area and contact the gas utility or emergency services.
• B. Attempt to shut off gas at the meter.
• C. Use a flashlight to inspect the area.
• D. Ignore for a few minutes.

Answer: (A)

When a gas leak is detected, the top priority is life safety: get people out to fresh air and call for professional help. Gas can accumulate quickly and an ignition source could cause an explosion, so moving everyone away from the area reduces exposure risk and buys time for responders to shut off the supply and assess the situation. Shutting off the gas at the meter is something that should be done only by trained personnel, as it can be dangerous and may not be accessible or safe for a layperson in a leak. Using a flashlight or other electrical device inside could create a spark, and ignoring the leak delay can put anyone nearby at serious risk. Evacuate and contact the gas utility or emergency services from a safe location to ensure the leak is handled safely.