Five essential gas safety tips for digging and home maintenance | Sponsored: CenterPoint Energy

With the summer winding down and the autumn quickly upon us, many people are spending more time outdoors, either continuing cleanup from prior storms or preparing their properties for the colder months. These chores are essential, but it’s important to be mindful of potential gas-related hazards during this process. Here are some key tips to remember to keep you and your family safe.

• If you’re replacing a fence that was damaged by weather or has eroded due to age, remember to call 811 at least two working days before you start rebuilding the fence. This call alerts your utility companies and will prompt someone from your gas company to mark underground lines to ensure safety before you start digging. It also prevents someone accidentally hitting a gas line during the fence rebuilding process, which will create unnecessary delays and can result in expense repairs and/or fines. It can also pose health hazards to anyone involved in the project.
• Once the gas lines are marked, take extra care when digging near them. Hand tools, like a shovel, are recommended when digging close to marked areas, as they provide more control and reduce the risk of hitting a gas line compared to heavy machinery. If you must use machinery, maintain a safe distance from the marked lines and proceed with caution.
• If you accidentally hit a gas line, it’s essential to act quickly. Stop all work immediately, evacuate the area, and contact your local gas company or emergency services. Do not try to fix the damage yourself, as gas leaks can be unpredictable and extremely dangerous.
• Keep debris, trash and obstructions away from your natural gas meter. Look for leaves and branches around your meter after any high winds and remove them promptly. Monitor the area around your meter regularly as well to ensure there is nothing near it that can affect its use.
• When cleaning around appliances such as stoves, water heaters or furnaces, inspect them for any signs of wear or damage. Gas lines can develop leaks over time, especially if they haven’t been maintained regularly. If you notice a rotten egg odor, it could indicate a gas leak. In such cases, evacuate the area immediately and contact your gas company as soon as possible.

Call 811 to mark your underground utilities before starting any digging or demolition activities. If you smell gas, immediately leave the area on foot and call 911 or CenterPoint Energy at 888-876-5786.