Safety with Natural Gas
Practice safety with natural gas
As we make safety our top priority, we ask that you do the same. This means planning for severe weather as soon as possible. In addition, before and during hurricane season, we advise residents to follow these natural gas safety guidelines:
- Take precautions with gas appliances. It is not necessary to turn off your natural gas service. If you are required to evacuate your home or business, your gas service should operate uninterrupted throughout the storm.
- Remember, to report any life-threatening conditions, please call 911.
If you evacuate your home or business:
- DO NOT turn off your gas supply at the main meter. Only emergency or utility personnel should turn the valve on or off.
- You can turn off the gas for individual appliances at the appliance valve near each unit if you choose. Most codes require an appliance valve within six feet of each appliance.
- If you experience difficulty relighting the pilot lights on your appliances, contact a trained professional. You can call Peoples Gas toll-free to locate a qualified independent contractor to provide service and repairs, appliance sales, pipe connection and installation for all types of natural gas equipment. The toll-free number is 1-877-TECO PGS (1-877-832-6747).
- Caution: Use portable generators safely. DO NOT connect your portable generator to your home’s circuits. Plug your appliances directly into the generator. Connecting your generator to your home’s circuits may cause power to flow to outside lines, posing life-threatening danger to power restoration crews. Also, portable generators must NOT be operated near air conditioning ducts or in residences or any enclosed space (including a closed garage), where deadly carbon monoxide gases could build up.
- After the hurricane, immediately call 1-877 TECO PGS (1-877-832-6747) if you smell natural gas (odor of rotten eggs) or see a broken gas line.
