Natural gas safety, inside and out.
It’s hard to beat natural gas for clean, efficient, economical energy. But, as with all forms of fuel, it’s important for you to become familiar with its safe use so you can enjoy those benefits to their full extent.
We do our part, of course, by routinely inspecting our gas facilities, and maintaining them in peak working order. In the event of a natural gas emergency, you can count on us to implement our emergency plan to keep the area safe. Click on the links below to take you further down the page.
Indoor Safety
Leak precautions
Carbon monoxide facts
Maintenance tips
Accident prevention
Pilot light information
Emergency instructions
Preparing for a natural disaster
Outdoor Safety
Call before you dig number
Meter safety
Signs of a leak outdoors
Indoor safety
There’s plenty to know about indoor safety. Because natural gas is lighter than air, it becomes combustible when mixed with air and exposed to an ignition source. That’s why we add an odorant that smells like rotten eggs so you’ll know right away if there’s a problem in or around 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.
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What you should know about carbon monoxide
Natural gas isn’t poisonous, but like other fuels, it produces carbon monoxide gas if it’s burned improperly. Early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- dizziness
- fatigue
- mental confusion
- nausea
- heart palpitations
If you suspect someone is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Get the person into fresh air.
- Open doors and windows.
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Call Avista Utilities at (800) 227-9187.
You might also consider purchasing a carbon monoxide detector to alert you if there is a system malfunction. You’ll find one at most home improvement or hardware stores. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when you use it.
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It’s also a good idea to keep your equipment in good working order:
- Hire a licensed professional to inspect your natural gas system every year for proper operation and safe venting. While you’re at it, ask for some advice on the right way to care for your equipment.
- Check your furnace chimney or vent at least once a year. The vent should be tight, clean and in good repair.
- Keep plastic vents for high-efficiency appliances clear of snow and ice.
- Clean or replace your heating system’s filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
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More natural gas safety tips
Make sure everyone in your home or office is up to speed on how to prevent accidents:
- Keep the area around your furnace and water heater clean and free of debris. Never store combustible liquids and materials near gas appliances.
- Teach children to stay away from the gas range and all other gas-burning appliances.
- Keep your range and oven clean to avoid grease fires.
- Never use your range or oven to heat a room.
- Never let children swing from gas pipes.
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All about pilot lights
Many older natural gas appliances use pilot lights that stay on all the time. If your pilot light goes out, an automatic shutoff valve turns the appliance off for your protection.
Remember, gas range-top burners aren’t equipped with a safety shutoff.
If you smell natural gas around any appliance - or if the appliance won’t light - call Avista Utilities at (800) 227-9187 and we’ll send someone to check it out.
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What to do in an emergency
You may never need to, but it’s probably a good idea for you to know how to turn off the natural gas service to your home or business. First, locate the shutoff valve; it’s on the pipe near your meter. Then, use a large wrench to give the valve a quarter turn in either direction. When the valve runs crosswise to the pipe, you’ve successfully closed the line.
Never turn the gas back on yourself. We’ll take care of that for you. Give us a call at (800) 227-9187.
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Preparing for a natural disaster
If your home or business has sustained major damage in an earthquake, flood or other natural disaster - or you detect a natural gas leak - you can turn off your natural gas service by simply following the instructions above. And remember to leave it off.
Take these precautions, too:
- Secure your natural gas water heater to a wall.
- Check to be certain nothing flammable has spilled or fallen near a natural gas appliance. In fact, you should never store flammable materials in the same room as a natural gas appliance.
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Outdoor safety
When you’re in the great outdoors, the first thing to do is call before you dig so you don’t hit an underground pipe. Call within two business days of your project.
Gas meters
While we’re outside, let’s consider your natural gas meter. It should be accessible for monthly readings, periodic maintenance and emergencies.
We’d appreciate it if you:
- Trim shrubs and other plants near your natural gas meter, which should be visible for meter reading.
- Keep dirt and debris away from the meter to prevent corrosion and leaking. And the meter shutoff valve needs to be accessible to Avista personnel and firefighters in the case of an emergency.
- Refrain from putting metallic objects on or against the meter.
- Protect the meter from being hit by vehicles - or anything else, for that matter.
- Avoid standing on the meter or tying animals to it.
- Gently remove any accumulation of snow or ice in the winter; but don’t use an open flame to do the job.
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In the event of a leak indoors, you’ll probably notice the smell. Outdoors, look for these signs:
- Blowing or hissing sound
- Dust blowing from a hole in the ground
- Continuous bubbling in wet or flooded areas
- Dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise green area
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