Piedmont Natural Gas reminds customers how to recognize gas leaks as heating season begins
NORTH CAROLINA (WWAY) — Piedmont Natural Gas is reminding customers to recognize the signs of a natural gas leak and take immediate action as colder temperatures arrive and home heating systems begin running.
The company is urging residents to remember one key safety message: If you smell gas, get out fast.
Natural gas has no smell on its own. An odorant called mercaptan is added to the gas to give it a distinctive rotten-egg smell, making leaks easier to detect.
“Safety is at the forefront of everything we do at Piedmont, and that includes continually educating our customers and our communities about how to detect natural gas leaks,” said Emily Henson, president of Piedmont Natural Gas.
“If you recognize the signs, including the rotten-egg odor of mercaptan, natural gas leaks can be managed quickly and safely,” Henson said.
Signs of a natural gas leak
In addition to the smell of rotten eggs, natural gas leaks may have other warning signs.
Piedmont Natural Gas says residents should look for:
- Bubbling water or blowing dirt near a gas line.
- Dead or dying plants in an otherwise healthy area.
- Sinkholes or exposed pipes.
- A hissing sound near a natural gas line or meter.
What to do if you suspect a leak
If you smell natural gas or suspect a leak, Piedmont Natural Gas recommends:
- Leave the area immediately.
- Call Piedmont Natural Gas at 800-752-7504 or call 911 from a neighbor’s home or another location away from the smell.
- Do not return to the area until a Piedmont technician or emergency responder says it is safe.
Natural gas detectors offer additional protection
Residents can also install natural gas detectors as an additional safety measure. The devices, available at major retailers and home improvement stores, sound an alarm when natural gas levels indicate a potential leak.
