Gas Safety Newsletter - December 2024
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The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases in winter months.
Watch for these symptoms:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and dizziness
Take action. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, go outside immediately and call 911 or our gas emergency number, 1-718-643-4050.
Tips to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.
- Schedule annual heating system check-ups.
- Properly maintain and ventilate appliances. Have your chimney cleaned and checked every year.
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Keep your meter and all vents clear of brush and snow.
- Never heat your home or any building with a gas range.
- Never operate a generator indoors – even with a door or window open.
- Clearly mark gas meters that may be near the path of a snow plow.
Smell gas. Act fast.
Use your senses to detect gas leaks. Gas leaks are often recognized by:
- SMELL: Natural gas is odorless. A strong odor similar to rotten eggs is added so you can detect it fast.*
- SIGHT: Outdoors you may see a white cloud, mist, fog, and bubbles in standing water. You may see blowing dust. Vegetation in the area may appear to be dying.
- SOUND: You may hear an unusual noise like roaring, hissing or whistling.
Call 911 or 1-718-643-4050.
*Odor fade: Your sense of smell isn’t always the most reliable way to detect a gas leak. Sometimes physical and/or chemical processes can cause a loss of odorant in natural gas, making it undetectable by smell. Because of the possibility of odor fade, it’s important to not rely only on your sense of smell to be alerted to a natural gas leak.
Stay safe at home with alarms.
Installing different kinds of alarms throughout your home can provide added protection for you and your family year-round.
- A carbon monoxide (CO) alarm sounds when this highly poisonous, colorless, odorless gas is present in the air.
- A smoke alarm senses smoke, indicating a possible fire.
- A residential methane detector signals methane in the air, indicating a gas leak.
Be sure to follow manufacturers’ instructions for proper placement of these alarms and test them frequently
Inspect your pipes regularly.
Examples of buried gas lines include:
- Outside gas lighting
- Gas heaters for a pool or hot tub
- Natural gas barbecues
- Gas-fired generators
- Detached buildings with gas appliances
Keep meters and vents clear of snow and ice.
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Use a broom to brush away snow and ice on the meter. Do not chip away at ice buildup.
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Watch for icicles above the meter, which could fall and damage the meter or pipes.
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Keep snow blowers and plows away from the gas meter to prevent damage.
Excess Flow Valve Notification
For more information, please email nycgss@nationalgrid.com or call 1-877-MyNGrid (1-877-696-4743).
Pipeline safety inspection reminders.
If we are unable to complete the safety inspection:
- Your account will be charged a non-refundable $100 penalty.
- Your gas service may be subject to disconnection for safety reasons.
- Even if the $100 charge is paid, we still need access to your meter to ensure the safety of your gas line.
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Your fine can be waived if you’re charged and you are not the access controller of the property. If you are a tenant who does not have access to the meter, you must provide the contact information of the person who does have access, such as the property owner or building manager/super. After the inspection has been completed, the fee will be refunded to you.
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Inspections must be completed to continue service. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
For your safety our technician will carry photo ID and follow all appropriate safety protocols.
This is an important safety notice. Please have it translated. See the “select language” link at nationalgridus.com.