January 2005

Protecting Your Family From

Gas Leaks

Natural gas is safe to heat your home or business, and Walton EMC Natural Gas wants it to stay that way. We want you to be aware of the safety precautions if your home or business ever has a gas leak. We also advise you to talk about this safety concern with your family and develop a plan of action.

 

Natural gas is a colorless, odorless gas. A chemical called mercaptan is added to the natural gas before entering the distribution system. The chemical gives the natural gas an odor, like rotten eggs, so that any natural gas can be detected if there's a leak.

 

If you smell the strong odor of natural gas, act immediately-

 

• Open as many doors and windows that you can and have everyone leave the  building immediately.
• When you leave the building, don't worry about turning the lights on or off or unplugging electrical appliances. Any spark could ignite the gas.
• Don't try to locate the gas leak yourself.
• Call Atlanta Gas Light to report the leak. Use a neighbor's phone or a cell phone away from the building or call the fire department.
  Atlanta Gas Light's 24-hour Emergency Gas Leak hotline:
  Inside Metro Atlanta      770/907-4231
  Outside Metro Atlanta    877/427-4321
• Stay away from any area with the gas odor.
• Do not enter the building until an AGL field service representative declares the building safe.

 

Post AGL's number with other emergency numbers, so you'll know exactly where it is when you need it. If you have a cell phone, program AGL's 24-hour Emergency Gas Leak number as a contact.

 

For more information on natural gas safety, check out safegas.org. The Georgia Public Safety Commission developed this site to promote natural gas safety. The site also includes a section just for kids.

 

Heating your home or business with natural gas is safe. But it's safer knowing how to react in case of a leak.

 

 

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