Gas Safety Tips

Everyday Tips

• Natural gas is a safe and efficient source of energy as long as you use it properly. Here are some tips to help you use gas safely in your home.
• Play it safe: Keep young children away from gas appliances. Kids could accidentally turn on a stove or extinguish a pilot light, allowing gas to leak.
• Prevent fires: Don't store gasoline, kerosene or other flammable materials near any gas appliance or source of flame.
• Be prepared: Know where the shutoff valves for all your gas appliances are located, as well as the main shutoff valve next to the gas meter.
• Brace for a quake: Make sure your water heater is properly braced to keep it safe in case of an earthquake. Check local building codes.
• Call before you dig: Call "2573136" or "119" before digging in your yard or on the job, to make sure no gas lines or electric cables are buried nearby.

Tips for Your Furnace

• Tune it up before turning it on: Have your furnace or gas heater checked at the start of each heating season -- or at least every two years -- by a qualified contractor.
• Keep it clean: If your furnace uses a filter, check the filter monthly during heating season, and clean or replace it, following the furnace manufacturer's instructions.
• Let it breathe: If your furnace is in its own closet, don't use the closet for an other storage or block its vents.

Emergency Tips

• Beware: If you suspect a gas leak (natural gas smells like rotten eggs), don't turn any electric switches on or off, light any matches, or use the phone.
• Check it out: If you smell a faint odor of gas, look for a pilot light that's out. If you find one, turn the gas appliance off; open windows and the appliance's burner chamber, if it has one. Wait five minutes or until the gas odor is gone before relighting the pilot. Call your gas company if you need help lighting a pilot light.
• Don't delay: If there's a strong gas odor, open windows and doors and get everyone out of the building immediately. If possible, turn the gas off at the appliance shutoff valve or the main shutoff valve. Call your gas company on "119" from a neighbor's phone.
• One good turn: To turn off your gas at the main shutoff valve, use an adjustable wrench to give the valve a quarter turn in either direction.
• Don't forget: Once gas has been shut off, never turn it back on yourself. Call your gas company or a qualified plumber to restore your gas service.

What To Do If You Smell Gas ???

Why does natural gas smell like rotten eggs? Natural gas is odorless; the unpleasant smell is added for your protection. If gas service is disrupted for any reason, please wait for the gas company to relight your pilots and ensure that service has been restored. If you smell a faint odor of natural gas, open windows and doors call Gas Company

If you smell a strong odor of natural gas, leave your home immediately and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. Do not use the phone or other electric appliances. If the flame on your gas appliance is any other color than bright blue, have the appliance inspected to ensure that it is operating properly. A lazy yellow or orange flame may indicate the presence of carbon monoxide.