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us Home & property emergencies gas appliance keeps going out • furnace keeps shutting off • water heater pilot light out • pilot light keeps going out • gas heater keeps turning off • stove flame goes out • worried about gas leak • rotten egg smell in house • ventilation may be unsafe • flue or vent blocked • carbon monoxide concern • co alarm went off • headaches when heat is on • dizzy at home possible co • unsafe gas supply suspected • gas pressure problem suspected • appliance keeps clicking off • tenant gas safety concern • landlord won’t fix gas issue • shut off gas meter question

What to do if…
a gas appliance keeps going out and you’re worried the ventilation or supply is unsafe

Short answer

Turn the appliance off and stop trying to relight/reset it. If you smell gas, a CO alarm sounds, or anyone feels sick, leave immediately and call 911 from a safe location.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep relighting the pilot or repeatedly resetting the furnace/boiler/water heater.
  • Don’t use lighters, candles, matches, or any open flame.
  • Don’t turn lights on/off, plug/unplug devices, use garage door openers, or do anything that could create a spark if you suspect gas.
  • Don’t use a phone (including a cell phone) while you’re still inside if you suspect a gas leak—leave first, then call from outside.
  • Don’t “air it out and keep using it” if it continues to go out.
  • Don’t tape over vents or block combustion air openings.
  • Don’t try to repair gas components, adjust regulators, or modify venting yourself.
  • Don’t ignore symptoms like headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, or confusion—especially if they improve outside.

What to do now

  1. Turn the appliance off (thermostat to OFF, appliance control to OFF, or shut it down per the unit’s control). Stop any repeated reset attempts.
  2. Check for immediate danger signals:
    • Smell of gas (often “rotten egg”), hissing near a line/appliance, or other strong signs of a leak, or
    • CO alarm sounding, or
    • Anyone suddenly unwell (headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea/vomiting, chest pain, confusion).
  3. If any danger signal is present:
    • Leave the building immediately and get to fresh air.
    • From a safe location (outside and away from the building, or a neighbour’s home), call 911.
    • After (or as directed by 911), call your gas utility’s emergency number to report the issue and follow instructions.
  4. If there’s no gas smell and no alarm, but the appliance keeps going out and you’re worried about venting/supply:
    • Keep it off and ventilate the area (open doors/windows).
    • Arrange an urgent inspection by a licensed HVAC technician or licensed plumber (as appropriate locally) to check combustion, venting/flue, and gas supply before you use it again.
  5. If the gas gets shut off for safety:
    • Do not turn it back on yourself unless your gas utility or a qualified professional specifically instructs you to. Follow your utility’s process for inspection and restore.
  6. If you rent or live in shared housing:
    • Notify the landlord/property manager immediately in writing that you shut the appliance off due to a safety concern and requested a qualified inspection.
    • If you smell gas or suspect a leak at any point, treat it as an emergency first (leave, then call 911/utility).

What can wait

  • You don’t need to diagnose whether it’s the flame sensor/thermocouple, venting, gas pressure, or a control board right now.
  • You don’t need to decide on repairs vs. replacement today—first step is to stop use and get a qualified inspection.
  • You don’t need to negotiate blame or costs while you’re still unsure it’s safe.

Important reassurance

A gas appliance repeatedly going out can be a safety shutdown—and treating it seriously is the right instinct. Turning it off, getting fresh air, and getting qualified help is a protective move, not an overreaction.

Scope note

These are first steps for immediate risk reduction and getting the right responders involved. Local codes and utility procedures vary; follow 911 responders’ and your gas utility’s instructions.

Important note

This is general information, not professional advice. If you suspect a gas leak or carbon monoxide exposure, leave immediately and contact emergency services (and your gas utility) from a safe location.

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