Stay Safe with Natural Gas

The natural gas industry prides itself on being a safe, reliable provider of efficient energy—not only its customers but also for the thousands of employees who work each day to deliver natural gas to homes and businesses throughout the U.S.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to be a smart natural gas customer.

Teach Natural Gas Safety Early

Have you ever thought about how the water in your shower or bathtub gets hot? What about that blue flame you see on the stovetop? Children are curious, and teaching natural gas safety in the home is important for all families.

Watch this video with your friends and family – both children and adults! – to explain which appliances use natural gas, how to identify a natural gas leak and what to do if a leak occurs. These key safety messages are not only critical to family and caregivers, but the next generation of utility customers.

Smell Gas? Act Fast!

Natural gas customers are the first line of defense when it comes to detecting a leak. Utilities odorize natural gas with Mercaptan — which smells similar to rotten eggs — so that it’s easy to smell if there is a gas leak. If you detect a gas leak, take action immediately.

1. Leave the building immediately and take others with you. If you are outside when you smell the gas, leave the area immediately.
   
2. Avoid causing a spark, which might cause the gas to explode:
   1. Do not light a match or smoke.
   2. Do not turn appliances or lights on or off.
   3. Do not use a flashlight.
   4. Do not start a car.
   5. Do not use a telephone
      
3. Find a phone away from the area and call 911 or your natural gas utility. You can report leaks anonymously. Always call to report the problem. Do not assume someone else will do it.
   
4. Follow directions from utility employees or emergency responders who are on site.

It is important to teach children the importance of natural gas safety in the home. With this video, you can teach the younger members of your family how different appliances use natural gas, how to identify a natural gas leak and what to do if a leak occurs.

Call 811 Before You Dig

Before you begin planting a tree, digging in your yard, or excavating, remember to call 811 to find out where your utility lines are in your yard. Calling 811 helps to prevent accidents, protecting both you and your community’s pipelines. It’s not safe to guess, and looks can be deceiving. 

The 811 Safe Digging project is led by The Common Ground Alliance, a member-driven association co-founded by AGA and dedicated to the prevention of excavation damages to our country’s underground utility infrastructure. Excavation damages are the leading reason for unplanned outages to energy utilities and telecommunications services, that are experienced by homeowners and businesses.

Anyone who plans to dig can also visit call811.com to contact 811 in their state and keep these tips in mind:

• You should call 811 or use your state 811 center’s website a few business days before you begin any digging, including common projects like planting trees and shrubs or installing fences and mailboxes. The specific amount of advance notice that you are required to provide varies by state.
• You will need to know the address of where you plan to dig, including the county and nearest cross street, as well as the type of project you are completing and the exact area on the property where you’re planning to dig. Whether calling 811 or submitting a request online, you will need the same information.
• Wait up to 3 working days to allow utilities to respond to your request and ensure that all utility lines have indeed been marked before breaking ground.

Cook Like a Pro