We’ve heard from a few customers today who had questions about natural gas after seeing news about a natural gas incident in San Bruno, Calif., last night and this morning. While we certainly can’t speak to the specific event that occurred in California, this attention to natural gas gives us the opportunity to remind customers about safety and what to do if you smell natural gas in your home or business.
If you smell (or hear) gas, take these precautions:
-Don’t smoke, light matches, turn your electrical switches on or off, use the telephone or do anything else that might create a spark.
-Open your windows and outside doors, if possible.
-Evacuate everyone in your home or building, and stay out until someone from Avista Utilities tells you it is safe to return.
-Keep others away from the area.
-Call 911, and then Avista Utilities at (800) 227-9187, from a neighbor’s phone.
Safety is a top priority for us, so the first thing our phone system asks you when you call is if you are calling about a natural gas leak. Those calls are given priority and go to the front of the line. That’s how important your call is to us.