Household Emergencies
Gas Leaks
Your home may be serviced with natural or bottled gas. Gas is a safe, clean, economical energy source for appliances such as furnaces, boilers, water heaters, dryers, cooktops, fireplaces and barbecues. Although gas appliances are wonderful conveniences, gas must be treated with respect.
If you smell gas inside or outside your home, hear gas escaping from a broken line or see a broken gas line, you should:
Get everyone out of and away from your home immediately.
Call your local gas company or your fire department from a neighbor’s house.
Do not light a match, turn a light on or off, use a telephone (portable, cellular or regular) or operate any electrical switch or electronic device - flames or electric sparks can ignite the leaking gas.
Leave as many windows and doors open as possible - the gas will rise and dissipate harmlessly outside.
If the gas leak is inside your home, you can turn off your gas supply at the gas shutoff valve after everyone is out of the house. If you prefer, you can have your utility company turn off the gas.
The gas shutoff valve should be located on the pipe leading into the gas meter. Turn the valve a quarter-turn in either direction with an adjustable-end or “crescent” wrench. The gas is off when the valve is perpendicular to the pipe.
If the gas leak is outside your home, keep away from the leak area and away from your house. Do not attempt to shut off the gas supply. Your utility company will turn off the gas.
Once your gas is off, wait for your local gas company to restore your service.
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