Propane smells like rotten eggs, skunk’s spray, or a dead animal. Some people may have difficulty smelling propane due to their age (older people may have a less sensitive sense of smell); a medical condition; or the effects of medication, alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

On rare occasions, propane can lose its odor. Several things can cause this including: The presence of air, water, or rust in a propane tank or cylinder, the passage of leaking propane through the soil. Since there is a possibility of odor loss or problems with your sense of smell, you should respond immediately to even a faint odor of gas.

Contact Blue Flame Gas Company to receive a brochure with a scratch and sniff of what propane smells like. Have everyone in your household smell this sample and know what propane smells like.