Natural gas, in its pure state, is colorless, odorless and non-detectable to the human senses. To be able to easily identify it, a non-toxic substance called mercaptan is added to the gas, giving it the distinct smell of `rotten eggs.

Should you detect natural gas in your home, immediately call your gas supplier. They have emergency procedures in place to handle situations like this. A tech will be dispatched to your home to confirm the leak and shut off your gas supply. They will then provide you with a red tag identifying the reason for the shut-off.