What should you do if you smell gas near your furnace?

If you smell gas near your furnace, the most appropriate action is to evacuate the area and contact emergency services. This response is crucial because a gas leak can pose an immediate danger, including the risk of explosion or fire, as well as health hazards due to inhalation. By evacuating, you prioritize your safety and the safety of others nearby. It's important to inform emergency personnel of the situation so they can assess the situation and take appropriate actions to manage the gas leak safely.

While ventilating the area or checking the gas line for leaks might seem like reasonable options in a less urgent context, they can expose individuals to further risks in the presence of gas. Similarly, turning off and restarting the furnace could spark a fire or lead to an explosion. Therefore, evacuating and alerting emergency services is the most effective and safest course of action when dealing with a gas odor.