Natural Gas Safety Tips

Don’t play around your gas meter!

• Don’t hang anything on the pipes connected to your natural gas furnace or water heater.
• Never leave flammable materials near your gas furnace or water heater. This includes paint, paint thinner, gasoline, kerosene or old rags that have been used to wipe up flammable materials. 
• Don’t store combustible materials near a furnace or water heater. This includes boxes of papers or documents or old clothes.
• Place a carbon monoxide detector near your gas water heater and furnace. Replace batteries annually.
• A bad odor that smells like rotten eggs or a skunk can indicate a gas leak. Leave the area immediately and tell an adult to alert your natural gas company.
• Don’t wear loose clothing when cooking on a natural gas stove — loose sleeves can contact the flame.
• Your gas stove’s flames should be blue. If they are orange or yellow, your stove is not working properly and should be serviced by a qualified technician.
• Keep pot handles turned inward to prevent spills and burns.
• Never dry damp clothing on a gas stove or in a gas oven.
• Never use your gas oven to heat your home.
• Keep flammable items away from a natural gas stovetop. This includes dish towels, potholders and plastic containers.
• Keep a carbon monoxide detector near your gas stove. Replace batteries annually.
• Gas grills and fireplaces should be operated by an adult.
• Don’t play on or around a natural gas generator.
• Never play with the natural gas valve or on the fireplace logs.
• On a vented gas fireplace, make sure the vent flue is open before lighting a fire.

Don’t block the area around a water heater!