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Safety Information > Appliance Safety |
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| Using Your Senses |
What You Should Do If You
Suspect A Leak |
A gas leak is usually recognized by smell, sight, or sound.
- SMELL – Natural gas is colorless and odorless. A distinctive, pungent odor is added so that you'll recognize it quickly. Not all transmission lines are odorized.
- SIGHT – You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water or blowing dust. You may also see vegetation that appears to be dead or dying for no apparent reason.
- SOUND – You may hear an unusual noise like roaring, hissing, or whistling.
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MOVE to a safe environment.
- CALL us immediately at (800) 992-3427
- DO NOT smoke or operate electrical switches or appliances. These items may produce a spark that might ignite the gas and cause an explosion.
- DO NOT assume someone else will report the condition.
- Provide the exact location, including cross streets.
- Let us know if sewer construction or digging activities are going on in the area.
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Tips for using natural gas appliances safely
Whether you use it for cooking, to heat water, dry clothes, heat or air condition your home or business, natural gas is a hard working servant, especially when conserved and used properly. It's up to you to use safe gas appliances - and to use gas appliances safely!
- Follow directions from the manufacturer for using and maintaining gas appliances.
- Keep combustibles such as papers, cleaning fluids, paints, curtains and rags away from furnaces, water heaters, ranges and dryers.
- Teach children never to light or play with the controls of any gas appliances. If possible, have a UL approved fire extinguisher in your home.
- Look for the Blue Star seal when buying a gas appliance. It certifies that equipment design meets strict safety standards.
- Keep flues and chimneys clear. Have your fluepipe and chimney checked to make sure they're not blocked with debris such as nests, branches or ivy. Your heating contractor can inspect and clean fluepipes for you.
- Keep your meter and appliance vents free of snow and ice.
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Gas Dryer
- Fill the clothes dryer, but don't overload it.
- Remove lint from the screen after each load.
- If the dryer doesn't work, check the electric plug and fuses.
Gas Range
- Don't leave burners on when not in use.
- Keep your range-top burners, burner drip shields and oven racks clean. Make sure burner drip shields are free of used matches, grease and paper.
- If the burner doesn't ignite, check to see if the pilot light is lit.
- Never use your gas range or oven to heat your home or apartment.
Gas Water Heater
- Don't block air vents, valves or controls if you add insulation around the water heater.
- Don't cover the top of the heater or the space between the floor and heater.
Gas Heating System/Space Heating
- Clean or replace filters in warm-air furnaces periodically.
- Keep the area around the furnace/space heater clear of dirt, clutter, flammable materials and obstructions.
- A yearly inspection of gas heating equipment is recommended by manufacturers. A qualified technician should make this inspection.
Leave Service to the Experts
Periodically, you should inspect the burner flames of your gas appliances. The flame should burn with a clear blue color. If it is blue, chances are your burner is adjusted properly and is doing the job efficiently. A yellow flame may indicate that your burner isn't operating efficiently. Have a qualified technician perform any needed adjustments. Don't try to service gas burners yourself - call a qualified technician who knows how to spot and solve any problems.
Yankee Gas offers a low-cost home heating and water heating service plan (Advantage Protection Service Plan) to help ensure that you and your family enjoy the benefits of natural gas while avoiding unexpected repair bills. We have plans to fit every budget. |
Signs of Poor Ventilation
- Indoor Wetness (condensation, especially around chimney)
- Unusual smell in your home that does not go away
- Sick houseplants
- Yellow or wavering appliance flames
- Soot in your home
- Pilot light that keeps going out
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