Dominion Hope Offers Home Natural Gas Safety Tips
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on December 08, 2016 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
With the onset of colder weather and an increased use of natural gas for heating, Dominion Hope would like to remind customers of the following safety tips regarding natural gas.
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Natural gas is both odorless and colorless, so Dominion adds an odorant that gives it that “rotten egg” smell so a customer can detect its presence. So if a customer smells natural gas:
- DO NOT attempt to locate the natural gas leak.
- DO NOT remain in the house or building when there is a strong odor. Call Dominion Hope from a neighbor's house. Hope provides emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We consider it an emergency if customers smell an odor of gas or if none of their natural gas appliances are working. Call 1-800-688-4673.
- DO NOT turn any electrical switches, appliances or lights on or off, or unplug electrical appliances when there is a strong gas odor.
- DO NOT use telephones or cell phones in the area of a strong gas odor.
- DO NOT operate vehicles or power equipment where leaking gas may be present.
- DO NO smoke or use lighters, matches or other open flames.
Outdoors, customers may not be able to detect a natural gas leak by smell. Signs of an outdoor leak include:
- Customers may hear a hissing sound;
- See a steady stream of bubbles on the surface of puddles or ponds, or water or dirt being blown into the air;
- See dead grass or plants in an area where there is a gas line;
If customers detect these signs of an outdoor natural gas leak, they should leave the area and warn others to leave, too. They should call Dominion Hope from a safe location. Dominion Hope advises customers not to attempt to put out fires or operate pipeline valves. Call 911 immediately.
As with any mechanical equipment, natural gas appliances need regular inspection and maintenance by a qualified professional.
- To ensure maximum safety, efficiency and economy, Dominion Hope recommends an annual inspection by a qualified technician.
- Change the furnace monthly especially during the peak of the heating seasons.
- Customers should install fire detectors on each floor of their home and, if applicable, change the batteries every six months.
- For added protection, consider the installation of carbon monoxide detectors.
Other Home Safety Tips
- Keep combustible materials away from furnaces, water heaters, ranges or other appliances.
- Clean dirt and dust from underneath and around appliances, for maximum safety and efficiency.
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- Don't tamper with or obstruct the gas meter, whether it's located inside or outside the home. Also, never use a gas meter as hanger, a bike post or for any other purpose.
- House numbers should be posted clearly on the home or mailbox. Obscured or missing house numbers can cause a delay in locating a home during an emergency.
With proper use and maintenance, customers will continue to enjoy safe and efficient use of their natural gas appliances and stay warm this winter.
For more tips, go to www.dom.com and enter “tips” in the search box.
