Why Natural Gas Safety Matters
Over 75 million
households use natural gas for at least one appliance
Dozens of fatalities
and hundreds of injuries tied to residential gas leaks
More than half of U.S. households rely on natural gas for heating
400+ natural gas explosions
in U.S. homes and buildings since 2020
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has urged all 50 states to mandate natural gas alarms in residential and commercial buildings
Natural gas is a reliable, affordable energy source used in homes across the country. It powers heating systems, water heaters, stoves, dryers, and other appliances, making it a routine part of daily life for more than 75 million households.
Yet few consumers realize that once natural gas enters the home, safety becomes a shared responsibility. While utilities maintain and monitor external gas infrastructure, the risk inside the home is often overlooked. Leaks can occur due to aging connections, faulty appliance installations, malfunctioning appliances, or accidental damage to gas lines.
Although utilities add odorants to help detect gas, the smell can fade with prolonged exposure or go unnoticed altogether, especially during sleep or by individuals with a diminished sense of smell. When gas accumulates indoors, the risk of explosion rises rapidly. Since 2020, more than 400 residential natural gas explosions have been reported across the U.S., resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of serious injuries.
In light of these incidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has called on all 50 states to require residential natural gas alarms. Numerous states, including Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, have introduced legislation to do just that. These efforts reflect a growing consensus that natural gas alarms must be treated as a basic element of home safety.
Natural gas alarms offer a critical layer of protection. Like smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, they provide early warning when gas levels rise and give families time to act before a small leak becomes a life-threatening emergency. When paired with utility safeguards, these alarms help close a dangerous and often overlooked gap in home safety.
Concerned Citizens for Natural Gas Safety is committed to raising awareness about this issue and advocating for the widespread adoption of natural gas alarms. Our mission is to protect families and neighborhoods by advancing commonsense safety measures that prevent natural gas incidents before they occur. We believe natural gas safety is a shared responsibility and that simple solutions, like natural gas alarms, can save lives.
Together, we can make our homes and communities safer.
How You Can Help
Whether you're a concerned resident, public safety advocate, policymaker, or energy professional, you have a role to play in advancing natural gas safety. Here are meaningful ways to get involved and make a difference in your community:
Learn More About the Issue
A well-informed advocate is a strong advocate. Learn more about natural gas safety and the role of natural gas alarms in creating a safer home.
Spread the Word
Raising awareness is one of the simplest and most effective ways to create change. Share educational materials with friends, neighbors, and local leaders. Start a conversation in your community. Use our toolkit to download flyers, social media graphics, and quick facts that help explain why gas alarms matter.
Share Your Story
Behind every statistic is a personal experience. If you've witnessed or been affected by a gas leak or explosion, your story can help lawmakers and the public understand why this issue deserves urgent attention. Personal stories bring the data to life and can influence legislation in powerful ways.
Featured Partner: DeNova Detect
Creating safer homes takes both advocacy and innovation. That’s why we are proud to partner with DeNova Detect, a leading manufacturer of residential natural gas alarms and a national voice in the push to make gas detection a standard part of home safety.
Their battery-powered alarms are designed for early detection, easy installation, and compliance with the latest national safety standards, providing families with a critical layer of protection inside the home. Click here to learn what to look for in an alarm and how DeNova Detect is helping lead the way.