Home safety tips for a warm, worry-free winter

As the colder months drive us indoors to enjoy the warmth and comfort of our homes, it’s important to refresh your memory of indoor natural gas safety hazards. Read more so you can have a safe and cozy winter!

two sets of feet in wool socks with a fireplace burning in the background

Be a pro at staying safe from CO
A safe season is a happy one. As the temperatures drop during the winter months, make sure to protect your home from carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced when fuel doesn’t completely burn out. To keep your family and your home safe from exposure to CO:

Have your home heating systems, including chimneys and flues, inspected regularly.

[ICON] a crossed out image of a lit gas burner

Never use a gas range or stove to heat your home.

When not in use, always ensure your gas stove burners are in the OFF position.

Install a CO detector on every level of your home.

Carbon monoxide safety

Keep your gas appliances safe
Gas appliances – like a furnace, water heater, gas fireplace and stove – play an essential role in our daily lives no matter the season. But, between the cold temperatures and holiday cooking, winter is the time we often use gas appliances the most. Follow these tips to minimize potential safety risks so you can enjoy the comfort and convenience of gas appliances:

Have a qualified heating professional regularly perform inspections and maintenance on your gas appliances.
Keep appliances free from obstructions and combustible materials.
Never store flammable liquids in your home or near fuel-burning appliances.
Always place approved end caps on pipes after disconnecting appliances from gas lines.

Keep your water heater temperature setting between 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent bacteria growth while guarding against scalds.

Use your space heater safely

Space heaters are great for adding more warmth for less energy, but they can be a fire hazard when not used safely. Review our space heater safety guide to learn how to minimize risk and enjoy the extra comfort space heaters provide!

Space heater safety

Are your pipes up to code?
If you’re cooped up inside on a frigid, snowy day, consider using the time to check your piping and appliance connections! Especially during the winter season, it is important to make sure they’re made of safe materials and installed properly.

Connectors - Uncoated brass connectors that attach natural gas piping to home appliances no longer meet modern safety standards. If your appliances use these connectors, do not try to replace them yourself. Contact a qualified plumbing and heating specialist to replace these appliance connectors with stainless steel or plastic-coated metal.

Tubing - Corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) is commonly installed in homes and facilities built after 1990. If your natural gas pipes use CSST, contact a licensed electrician to confirm that a bonding device is installed to the ground.

What to do if you smell, see or hear natural gas

Leave the area immediately. Do not attempt to locate the leak, and do not touch anything that could cause a spark.
Call us at 800-595-5325 and call 911 from another location at a safe distance. We will investigate the situation at no cost to you.
Do not reenter the area until you have been advised that it is safe.

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