NATIONAL GRID PLC
News Releases
NATIONAL GRID OFFERS IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS ON NATURAL GAS AND CARBON MONOXIDE NATIONAL GRID OFFERS IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS ON NATURAL GAS AND CARBON MONOXIDEPay Careful Attention to Furnaces and Vents Before, During, and After Any SnowstormNovember 19, 2014 - The calendar may indicate the start of winter is over a month away, but Old Man Winter has a different plan for National Grid's Upstate New York customers. In portions throughout the region snow accumulations are averaging three feet with more snow forecasted to hit the area today through tomorrow. National Grid reminds its Upstate New York customers to use caution when clearing snow to avoid covering or damaging natural gas lines, meters, regulators, and intake and exhaust vents for gas appliances. Customers who have a natural gas furnace or fireplace should pay extra attention to the vent pipe or flue that releases exhaust to the outdoors. Exhaust vents can easily become clogged with debris, ice or snow regardless of whether venting takes place through a pipe on the outside of the house or through a chimney furnace. When snow piles up and blocks furnace vents, your furnace could shut off as a safety measure. Other times, it can cause furnaces to operate inefficiently or stop running altogether and break down. Blocked vents can lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide gas. Homeowners should make sure their furnace vents are clear of snow, ice, debris, or other obstructions. The same applies to your dryer vent; if it is blocked, your dryer may not operate as efficiently as it should. National Grid urges customers to keep their gas meters clear of snow and ice and be careful not to drop heavy, rooftop snow onto any outside meter. Customers should also use care when shoveling or plowing near outside gas lines, because damage to this equipment can result in a natural gas leak. As the winter months continue, National Grid reminds customers about what actions they should take if they suspect a natural gas leak and how to avoid exposure to potentially deadly carbon monoxide. Report Natural Gas LeaksLike any fuel, natural gas is safe when used properly. In the interest of customer and public safety, National Grid crews continually test, repair and improve the underground system that delivers natural gas, but the possibility does exist for a gas leak in or near your home. Natural gas is odorless, but National Grid adds a harmless substance called mercaptan, which has a strong odor similar to that of a rotten egg, to natural gas so that you can tell if gas is escaping. Any natural gas leak is a potentially hazardous situation. If you or a loved one detects a natural gas leak, National Grid recommends that you evacuate the premises for your own safety while taking the following immediate actions:
NATIONAL GRID OFFERS IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS ON NATURAL GAS AND CARBON MONOXIDE NATIONAL GRID OFFERS IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS ON NATURAL GAS AND CARBON MONOXIDEPay Careful Attention to Furnaces and Vents Before, During, and After Any SnowstormNovember 19, 2014 - The calendar may indicate the start of winter is over a month away, but Old Man Winter has a different plan for National Grid's Upstate New York customers. In portions throughout the region snow accumulations are averaging three feet with more snow forecasted to hit the area today through tomorrow. National Grid reminds its Upstate New York customers to use caution when clearing snow to avoid covering or damaging natural gas lines, meters, regulators, and intake and exhaust vents for gas appliances. Customers who have a natural gas furnace or fireplace should pay extra attention to the vent pipe or flue that releases exhaust to the outdoors. Exhaust vents can easily become clogged with debris, ice or snow regardless of whether venting takes place through a pipe on the outside of the house or through a chimney furnace. When snow piles up and blocks furnace vents, your furnace could shut off as a safety measure. Other times, it can cause furnaces to operate inefficiently or stop running altogether and break down. Blocked vents can lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide gas. Homeowners should make sure their furnace vents are clear of snow, ice, debris, or other obstructions. The same applies to your dryer vent; if it is blocked, your dryer may not operate as efficiently as it should. National Grid urges customers to keep their gas meters clear of snow and ice and be careful not to drop heavy, rooftop snow onto any outside meter. Customers should also use care when shoveling or plowing near outside gas lines, because damage to this equipment can result in a natural gas leak. As the winter months continue, National Grid reminds customers about what actions they should take if they suspect a natural gas leak and how to avoid exposure to potentially deadly carbon monoxide. Report Natural Gas LeaksLike any fuel, natural gas is safe when used properly. In the interest of customer and public safety, National Grid crews continually test, repair and improve the underground system that delivers natural gas, but the possibility does exist for a gas leak in or near your home. Natural gas is odorless, but National Grid adds a harmless substance called mercaptan, which has a strong odor similar to that of a rotten egg, to natural gas so that you can tell if gas is escaping. Any natural gas leak is a potentially hazardous situation. If you or a loved one detects a natural gas leak, National Grid recommends that you evacuate the premises for your own safety while taking the following immediate actions:
- Do NOT touch any electrical or light switches, appliances, thermostats, doorbells, phones or anything that could cause a spark.
- Do NOT turn any electrical equipment on or off.
- Do NOT pull any plugs from outlets.
- Do NOT smoke or light matches.
- If you have a gas range or oven, make sure the controls are turned OFF. Extinguish any easily accessible open flames such as lit candles, but never try to put out a fire you suspect may be caused by escaping gas. Leave immediately.
- National Grid advises its customers who suspect a natural gas leak to call National Grid's gas emergency number from a safe location: 1-800-892-2345. National Grid technicians respond immediately to any calls about gas leaks.
- Do not return to your home until National Grid tells you it is safe.
- Arrange for an annual check of your heating system by a licensed professional heating contractor. If you haven't had your heating system inspected yet, call them now.
- Have your chimney or flue checked for debris, bird nests or other blockages, and have them cleaned periodically.
- Be sure space heaters and wood stoves are in good condition, have adequate ventilation and are used in strict compliance with the manufacturer's instructions.
- NEVER use a gas range for heating or burn coal or charcoal in an enclosed space.
- Install a government-approved home carbon monoxide detector on every floor.
- If you use a back-up generator to supply power during outage, be sure to operate it outdoors. Open windows do not provide sufficient ventilation to safely operate a generator indoors.
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