10 FALL GAS SAFETY TIPS

Even though it might seem like winter is still far away, it’s never too early to review some fall gas safety tips! We want to help you prepare your home for those colder temperatures while enjoying the beautiful fall weather.

1. Remember to check outdoor appliance vents year round.  Stink bugs, bird nests, snow and ice have been cited as a cause for some furnace vent problems.
2. Your furnace is just like your car and requires routine maintenance. Remember to change your filter as required and have your gas appliances inspected regularly by a qualified professional.  
3. If you notice your pilot light keeps going out, it is important to get it inspected right away by a qualified professional. Faulty appliances can potentially lead to carbon monoxide issues.
4. Did you know that faulty or incorrectly vented appliances such as furnaces, stoves, water heaters, and fireplaces can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning?
5. If you have a contractor digging on your property, or if you’re doing some last minute fall landscape projects, make sure you or your contractor calls 811 before any digging! It’s the law! Utilities will come out to place markings or flags to show you where there are buried lines. 
   
6. If you notice any dead vegetation or discolored soil near a pipeline, it can indicate a gas leak. Leave the area right away and call your gas company.
7. Cooler temperatures are just around the corner, which means your furnace will be kicking into high gear. Make sure you check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector! Don’t have a CO detector? You can pick one up at any local home improvement store.
8. Before colder temperatures take hold, take the time to locate water pipes near outer walls, in crawl spaces, and in attics that are susceptible to freezing. Wrap them with pipe insulation to keep out moisture and prevent these pipes from freezing.
9. In the winter, snow and ice can accumulate on a meter, which may stop it from working properly. Remove snow and ice from your natural gas meter with a broom or brush, but never kick or try to chip with a hard object.
10. When putting away your summer products, never store flammable products like gasoline, paint thinner, or cleaning products near or in the same room as any gas or heat-producing appliance.

These fall gas safety tips were shared from the Peoples Gas website.