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What
to do If You Smell a Natural Gas Odor
Natural gas is lighter than air, and it has a very high ignition
temperature.
For your protection, The Gas Company adds a distinctive odor to
natural gas, so leaks are easily detected.
If you smell a natural gas odor:
DON'T
panic.
DON'T
use ANY phones in your house.
DON'T
light a match, candle or cigarette.
DON'T
turn electrical appliances or lights on or off.
DO
get
everyone out of the house immediately.
DO
call The Gas Company using a neighbor's phone, a cell
phone from
outside your home, or a pay phone.
DO
call the Fire Department even if you reach The Gas Company.
*
Dial 911 *
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How
to Turn off your gas meter
ONLY if you smell gas or hear the hissing sound of gas escaping.
It's important to know exactly where your gas meter is located and
how to shut it off in case of emergencies.
As you face the meter you will see a pipe running from the ground
to the meter.
Approximately 6 to 8 inches above the ground there is a shut-off
valve running parallel with the pipe.
Take a 10 "or 12" adjustable wrench and turn the valve 1/4 turn
in either direction, until the valve is crosswise
to the pipe. If you aren't certain how to safely restore gas service
to your home, or how to inspect your
appliances, call a qualified service provider such as a licensed
plumber or The Gas Company.
Keep a 10" or 12" adjustable crescent wrench with your emergency
supplies, or next to your valve.
Read additional emergency information in case of an earthquake.
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Info from SCGC |
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It's
important to know exactly where
your gas meter is located.
Meters may be housed in many
different types of cabinets and areas.
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Know where
your meter is located
and how to access it
BEFORE an emergency. |
Keep
a 10" or 12" adjustable crescent
wrench with your emergency supplies,
or next to your valve.
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For safety, a
shut-off valve should be installed at every gas appliance.
If a leak occurs at a specific appliance, the valve will permit
you to turn off the gas at the appliance
rather than shutting off all gas service at the meter. Some valves
requires a wrench to turn them. |
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After shutting
off your gas, if you aren't certain how to safely restore gas service
to your home, or how
to inspect your appliances, call a qualified service provider such
as a licensed plumber or The Gas Company.
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ELECTRICAL
SHUT-OFF
Locate the main electrical shut-off. Your house may be equipped
with fuses or circuit breakers.
If your house has fuses, you will find a knife switch handle or
pullout fuse that should be marked "MAIN."
If your house has circuit breakers, you may need to open the metal
door of the breaker box to reveal the circuit
breakers (never remove the metal cover). The main circuit breaker
should be clearly marked showing on and off
positions. Turn off all the small breakers first, then turn off
the "main". If you have any subpanels adjacent to the
main fuse, breaker panel, or in other parts of the house, (in an
emergency) be safe and shut them off too.
Shorts can sometimes develop to cause a circuit to bypass the breaker
or fuse.
Note: All responsible family members should be shown how to turn
off utilities in case of an emergency.
They need to know what the utilities look like in both on and off
positions.
Always treat electrical appliances and fixtures as if the power
is on ... even if you think you have it turned off !!
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WATER
SHUT OFF
Locate the main water service pipe into your house (probably in
the front at the basement level).
You will see a gate valve on the pipe. If you know you have leaks
you can shut off all water in your house
with this valve. You may wish to paint the valve so it is easy
to find in an emergency.
In an emergency.......
You can shut off all water to your
property by finding the water meter box (usually at the street
or sidewalk).
Open the cover with a long screwdriver or specialty tool. If this
box is inaccessible or you cannot find it,
call your local water department. Be sure to identify this box
and the water valve inside before the need to
use them arises. Inside the water meter box, you will see a valve
that is similar to the valve on your gas meter.
Turn it just the same as your gas valve.
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