the saff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Cold weather is here and the heating season is upon us. Natural gas is a clean burning and safe source of energy to keep your home warm. PSE&G continues to invest in major upgrades to our gas system so you have safe, reliable natural gas now and in the future. Most importantly, we want to provide gas safety information for you and your family.
Smell Gas? Act Fast!
Because natural gas is odorless and colorless, a distinctive odor, like rotten eggs, is added to it to help in the detection of leaks.
If you smell gas, hear hissing, or suspect a leak, act fast:
• Open windows and doors to ventilate the area.
• Leave your home as quickly as possible and move away from the property. If the odor is noticed outside, get away from where you suspect the gas is leaking.
• Once you are in a safe environment at least 350 feet away from the suspected gas leak area, call PSE&G immediately at 1-800-880-PSEG (7734), or call 911.
If you suspect a gas leak, do NOT:
• Operate light switches, vape or smoke
• Attempt to determine the source of the odor
• Light a match or leave candles burning
• Turn appliances on or off
• Start a car
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
While carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a year-round threat, it is more common in cold weather when fuel-burning heating equipment is in use. CO is odorless, tasteless and can be deadly. Small amounts of CO are in the air whenever fuel (such as oil, natural gas, or coal) is burned. These amounts are usually not harmful, but when fuel-burning appliances/equipment are not working properly, too much CO can build up in the air and cause CO poisoning.
Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Symptoms can occur immediately or gradually after long-term exposure.
For Safety’s Sake:
• Make sure all fuel-burning appliances are maintained and operate properly. Such appliances include gas and oil furnaces, water heaters, gas ranges, space heaters and gas clothes dryers.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors as back-up protection. CO alarms can provide an early warning before CO builds up to dangerous levels. Install a CO detector in every area of your house. Regularly check the batteries.
• Do not allow vehicles, snow blowers or any gasoline-powered engine to idle in a garage – especially if the garage is attached to your home. CO can drift inside and create a hazardous situation.
If you think there are high levels of CO in your home, go outside. If there is a medical emergency, such as someone falling unconscious, take the person outside to fresh air and call 911. Then call PSE&G immediately at 1-800-880-PSEG (7734). Wait outside or go to a neighbor’s home until help arrives.