Natural Gas Safety
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» Using Natural Gas Safely
» Teach Natural Gas Safety To Your Family
» Natural Gas Safely Rules
» What to Do If You Smell Natural Gas
» Contact Information
Natural gas in its pure form is colorless and odorless. A chemical, called mercaptan, is added to give natural gas a distinctive odor - similar to that of rotten eggs - so you can smell a leak immediately and take action. A faint odor of gas may mean that a pilot light has gone out and should be re-lit. Typically you will smell this odor long before the situation becomes dangerous; however, we encourage you to take precautions if you have any concerns. A strong odor means you should leave your home at once taking the following steps:
- DO NOT use a telephone.
- DO NOT switch a light on or off.
- DO NOT light a match or use a flashlight.
By reporting natural gas trouble or emergencies to us right away, you can help our crews isolate the problem and restore service more quickly. We've included information below about natural gas safety and what to do in emergency situations.
To report natural gas trouble or emergencies, call LG&E at (502) 589-5511 (toll-free 1-800-331-7370) - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To burn, natural gas must mix with the proper amount of air and be ignited by a flame or a spark. A properly burning natural gas flame will be a crisp blue color. If natural gas is burned without enough air, it may produce carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas. A person exposed to carbon monoxide may complain of dizziness, headache, nausea, fatigue and other flu-like symptoms. Make sure that all natural gas appliances are properly adjusted and that chimney flues, vent pipes, and heat exchangers are not cracked, bent or closed.
Leaking natural gas can explode, so do not use any electrical equipment or open flames if you smell a natural gas odor.
topAppliances
- Keep a natural gas kitchen range clean. Rinse and dry the burners before reinstalling. Be careful not to damage or change the settings on air shutters or sleeves of the range burners.
- Never use a kitchen range to heat a room. This can damage the range and produce dangerous carbon monoxide gas.
- If your gas range burners don't light, check to see if the pilot lights are burning. If they're not, turn all burners to "OFF" and apply a match to each pilot light (unless you have electronic ignition or if there's a strong natural gas odor).
- If a natural gas stove or furnace pilot light won't light, call your appliance or heating contractor. If you smell a strong odor of gas, leave and call LG&E at (502) 589-5511 (toll-free 800-331-7370) from a location where there is no natural gas odor, such as a neighbor's home. Remember, never use a telephone, switch a light on or off, or light a match if you smell a strong odor of gas.
- Natural gas makes an excellent choice for water heating. If allowed to get too hot, however, that water can scald you or the members of your family. Too hot water can lead to serious injuries - especially in young children who reach for and play with the hot water faucets.
- Always set your water heater temperature to the specifications set forth by the manufacturer. These specifications usually call for water temperatures between 110 and 120 degrees.
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Maintain gas service lines inside and outside the house to prevent leaks. The gas service lines buried from the property line to the house and all piping within the house are the responsibility of the property owner; LG&E will periodically survey all outside piping for leaks and will advise you if any maintenance is required on your portion of the service line. We will also inform you of any rust that is discovered on any outside piping that is exposed to the weather and advise you to paint the affected area.
Every family member should know how to find and turn off the natural gas shut-off valve at the meter. The valve should be closed only in the event of a natural gas emergency in your home (or when advised by us). If you turn off the shut-off valve, do not turn it back on. Call us at (502) 589-5511 (toll-free 800-331-7370) and let us re-establish your gas service for you.
Teach small children to stay away from the gas range and gas-burning appliances in your home. Do not let children swing from or play with pipes leading to water heaters or ranges. Do not let young children play with or turn on hot water faucets.
Practice safety drills for getting the family out of the house at night in case of a natural gas emergency or any other emergency, such as a fire.
top- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for operating all appliances.
- Have your appliances installed, serviced and repaired by professionals.
- Keep areas around your natural gas water heater and furnace clean and free to flammables.
- Contact BUD (Before U Dig) at 1-800-752-6007 to determine the location of natural gas lines (and other underground utility lines) before you begin any yard excavation, digging or planting.
- If you smell gas and can't find the source(s), immediately leave the house and go to a neighbor's house or a safe distance away where there is no natural gas odor. Call us at (502) 589-5511 (toll-free 800-331-7370).
- If the odor is not strong, open the doors and windows for ventilation.
- If the odor is strong and persists, get everyone out of the house immediately.
- Never use a telephone, switch a light on or off, or light a match if you smell natural gas.
- Don't try to relight your natural gas furnace, water heater or range until you are sure there's no smell of natural gas.
LG&E Customer Service Center
Downtown Center - 701 South Ninth Street
Monday - Friday 7:00am - 7:00pm
TDD (for the hearing - or speech-impaired): 627-3616
Outside the Louisville Area: (800) 331-7370
Emergency Numbers
LG&E Natural Gas Trouble/Emergencies (24 hours/day): (502) 589-5511
Outside the Louisville Area: (800)-331-7370
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