BGE is committed to maintaining a safe and reliable gas system, which begins with helping our customers understand the importance of natural gas safety. Gas is colorless, tasteless, and odorless in its natural state. Therefore, BGE puts mercaptan, a safety additive in natural gas to give it a rotten egg odor and make it easier to detect.

If you smell gas inside or outside:

 Leave the area immediately and call BGE.

Call 877-778-7798 or 1-800-685-0123.

Emergency gas service calls are answered 24/7. A service person will respond quickly, free of charge.

 Don't use matches, or turn anything on, even a cell phone. Even homes that don't use gas can experience gas leaks from outdoors.

For signs of natural gas:

Mercaptan is a safety scent BGE puts in natural gas to give it a rotten egg smell.




Listen for hissing, blowing or roaring sound of gas escaping.

Look for dirt being blown into the air, dead plants or grass in an otherwise green area, fire coming from the ground or water bubbling or being blown into the air.