Will I wake up dead?

September 22, 2015 5:28 PM

At about 10 this morning, I returned home to my (small, 1 bedroom) apartment and found that the gas on my stove had been on since the previous night (probably around 12 hours). I turned off the gas, opened both windows in the apartment, and left for the day. I would like to go home and go to bed, but I would also like to, you know, not die. Do I have anything to be worried about?
posted by i_am_a_fiesta to Health & Fitness (12 answers total)

If it doesn't smell like gas in there when you get home, you are fine.
posted by chaiminda at 5:34 PM on September 22, 2015 [4 favorites]

Are you on propane or natural gas?
posted by Beti at 5:39 PM on September 22, 2015

Propane or nat gas? Propane is heavier than air. Sniff the ground level. Or better yet have the fire department do it for you.
posted by slateyness at 5:40 PM on September 22, 2015

If it hasn't blown up yet, I bet it's okay (though reading the heavier-than-air comment, maybe open a door or two (have a screen door?) and blow a fan through). Next time though, be careful about introducing fresh oxygen to a room full of fuel.
posted by vsync at 5:51 PM on September 22, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Natural gas.

Internet fraud, it's been nearly 12 hours since I turned the gas off and opened windows. I'm not sure what 911 would do. I wish I had thought of calling the gas company this morning.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 6:05 PM on September 22, 2015

The gas company should be able come out at any time of day, if you still want to call them.
posted by three_red_balloons at 6:07 PM on September 22, 2015 [2 favorites]

If you're not already dead, then - no. You're fine.
posted by Dashy at 6:12 PM on September 22, 2015 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: I called he gas company. They said if it doesn't smell like gas, then it's fine. I'm not home, but considering it only barely smelled like gas this morning (wouldn't have thought anything of the smell if I didn't hear the gas in the kitchen), I'm guessing it will be fine.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 6:13 PM on September 22, 2015

Because natural gas has no odor, gas companies add an odor specifically so that you'll be alerted to gas crowding out breathable air. If you can no longer smell that and you know the source is turned off - sleep tight.
posted by Dashy at 6:19 PM on September 22, 2015 [4 favorites]

Since it's not a gas leak, but you just left the gas on and you've had the windows open for ~12 hours, I would think you're fine. You could call your landlord or the fire department and ask. But I would think the gas is gone by now. If it will make you feel better and you're not on the first floor, sleep with your windows open for the night.

edit: Just saw your update. Or call the gas company, I meant. ;)
posted by AppleTurnover at 7:12 PM on September 22, 2015 [1 favorite]

You had a very dangerous situation 12 hours ago. But now that you have ventilated to the point of not being able to smell it you are fine. This is with Natural Gas. For future searchers if this had been Propane/LPG the dangerous situation could have persisted depending on the layout of the building because the propane can sink into the basement and not be cleared out by the air exchange provided by the open window.
posted by Mitheral at 9:20 PM on September 22, 2015 [3 favorites]

And please in the future call 911 instantly. The person who lived above me in my former apartment blew up her apartment that way. She put the rest of us in great danger.
posted by mumimor at 10:16 AM on September 23, 2015 [1 favorite]