Energy Resources for Students

Store flammable materials AWAY from your stove, furnace or water heater as they can catch fire.

Good air circulation for natural gas appliances (stoves, ovens) and clean filters (in furnaces and clothes dryers) also help appliances run efficiently.

Set your water heater at 120 F (49 C) for safety and efficiency. If you have a suppressed immune system or chronic respiratory disease, you may need a higher setting.

Knowing good safety guidelines can help you use natural gas wisely in your home and community.

Do not play on or around natural gas meters or equipment. If you see snow or ice near or on outside natural gas equipment, tell an adult and have them safely clear it away. Prevention and wise usage are the first steps to safety. To be an Energy Safe Kid, play far away from natural gas equipment such as meters or pipelines.

Digging causes most natural gas leaks and safety concerns.

If you dig before finding out where underground cables and pipelines are located, you risk hitting and damaging them.

Have your family call 811. You can help keep your family safe by having an adult call 811 before you dig.

Marker Flags

Every state has a system of marking property with colored flags or paint to show the location of underground cables or pipelines.

These flags are color coded for the type of pipelines they mark.

Natural gas pipelines are marked with yellow flags.

All marker flags have an important job, such as marking the underground cables and pipelines that bring us natural gas, water, cable TV, etc.

We should never move them, take them out or dig near them.

Call 811 before you dig!

If you suspect a natural gas leak, leave your house immediately, tell an adult and call 911 from a safe distance.

How to Recognize a Natural Gas Leak

To help you SMELL a leak, natural gas companies add a stinky smell, called mercaptan, as a safety measure.

A leaking natural gas pipe might make a hissing sound you can HEAR.

Outside, near a gas leak, you might SEE blowing dirt, bubbling water or a small area of dead plants.

If You Suspect a Natural Gas Leak

Do not use any device that might cause a spark (using a phone, turning off/on the light switch, opening/closing the garage door).

Do not light a match, turn on your car or any motor.

Do not try to repair the leak. Leave that to the professionals to fix.

Finally, return only when a natural gas company employee says it is safe to return.

Sometimes when natural gas or propane does not have enough air, it does not burn correctly and it creates carbon monoxide.

This is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is very toxic. Carbon monoxide can cause illness and, in extreme cases, even death.

Know the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Flu-like symptoms that go away when you leave the house
• Sleepiness, irritability and an inability to concentrate
• Nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, convulsions and unconsciousness

If you have these symptoms and think you may have carbon monoxide poisoning, get outside, get safe and call 911.

Safety tip:

Make sure there is a carbon monoxide detector in your home. It acts just like a smoke alarm but for carbon monoxide gas. Install the detectors in your living and sleeping areas.

Prevention:

• Make sure all fuel-burning appliances have good air circulation and all vents, flues and chimneys are clear and inspected regularly.
• Never run a car inside the garage or use outdoor grills or appliances inside.