Natural Gas Safety
We often think of heat, hot water and cooking when we consider the many benefits of natural gas. Natural gas is reliable and safe as long as it is used properly and the related equipment is properly maintained. Prevent potentially dangerous natural gas conditions by calling before you dig to avoid digging into or nicking a buried gas line. It is also a wise and effective safety measure to properly maintain and hire a qualified contractor to routinely inspect gas appliances to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Learn to recognize a natural gas leak
It is important for you to know how to recognize potentially dangerous natural gas leaks, so use your senses:
- Smell: Because natural gas has no odor in its natural state, we add a harmless odorant to it to help you detect a leak. The added odorant, called mercaptan, has a sulfur-like smell, similar to a rotten-egg.
- Hear: Depending on its size and pressure, a natural gas leak may produce a noise that ranges from next to nothing to a slight hissing or blowing sound to a loud roar.
- See: A leak also may cause dust, dirt or debris to fly, or create blowing or continuous bubbling movement in water. It also can cause a spot of dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise green area.
Know how to respond to a natural gas leak
When an odor is persistent or seems to be everywhere, or it seems to linger longer than normal for your appliance’s operation, these could be signs of a gas leak inside your home or with an outside line.
Upon detecting such an odor, immediately get everyone out of your home or building, move a safe distance away and then call for help. Because an electric spark can ignite an explosion, remember to follow these tips:
- Do not turn on or turn off electrical switches.
- Avoid using electric appliances such as garage door openers or telephones of any type.
- Do not start up or shut down motor vehicles or any other electrical equipment.
- Do not strike a match.
- Avoid open flames or other ignition sources.
- Move to a location a safe distance away from your home when the odor is outdoors.
- Call Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-2999 or 911 in an emergency.
- Stay away until Xcel Energy or the emergency responders have told you it is safe to return.
Keep your gas meter clear and dry.
