Shutting Off Your Gas

Do NOT turn off natural gas unless you suspect a real emergency, you smell leaking gas, or local officials advise that you need to do so. You will need a professional to restore natural gas service. After a major disaster, it can take days or weeks for a professional to respond.

If you need to have your gas shut off, call your gas company to do it, if possible. However, in an emergency when you need the gas shut off immediately, take these steps:

• Locate the shutoff valve on the riser pipe (the pipe running through the ground or foundation wall to your meter). To turn the valve, you will need a crescent or pipe wrench, or a special wrench available from your local gas company.

• When the valve head is parallel to the riser pipe, it is in the "on" position. Turn the valve head crosswise to the pipe and it will be in the "off" position. There are also shutoff valves on the lines feeding individual gas appliances.

• Once the gas is off, leave it off. Call the nearest gas company office when you are ready for the gas to be turned back on. A qualified technician will check your system, turn on your service and relight the pilot for you.

Shutting Off Your Natural Gas

Your gas company injects an odorant into your gas before it is distributed, so it can be detected. The odorant is so highly concentrated that even the smallest amounts of natural gas can be detected. The odorant gives off a foul smell, like rotten eggs.

Any odor of natural gas inside your home may indicate a leak. Follow these steps if you detect a leak:

• Do open windows and doors.

• Do evacuate all persons from the building.

• Do call your local gas company from a neighbor's phone or a phone far away from the building.

• Don’t use the telephone (including cell phones and other portable communications devices with a battery). These can spark and create an ignition source.

• Don’t light matches or create any other source of ignition.

• Don’t turn lights off or on, or operate any electrical switches (either off or on). This could create a source of ignition.

If there is a strong gas odor in your home, or you can see or hear a break, follow the instructions above. Meanwhile, turn off the gas valve located at the gas meter with a wrench or other suitable tool. If the leaking gas ignites, do not attempt to put out the flames. Get to safety, call the fire department and then call your local gas company.

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