BALTIMORE — With cold weather and the heating season quickly approaching, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) would like to remind customers to familiarize themselves with the natural gas safety tips provided in BGE’s natural gas safety brochure which is being distributed to homes and businesses in and around BGE’s natural gas service area. Customers should be mindful that households and businesses not served directly by natural gas are still in proximity to BGE’s and other operators’ gas equipment.
“BGE is committed to maintaining a safe and reliable natural gas system and it is vital that our customers know how to recognize, report, and respond to natural gas leaks and emergencies,” said Christie McMullen, vice president of Gas Distribution for BGE. “Just as BGE prepares for the heating season, we urge our customers to have their heating systems checked and inspected by a qualified technician to ensure safe and efficient operation.”
BGE’s natural gas safety brochure is being mailed to all customers. The brochure provides information in English and Spanish, detailing how to recognize and report natural gas leaks. A scratch-and-sniff odor indicator is included that reminds customers about “mercaptan,” a safety additive that BGE and other utilities put in natural gas to give it a distinctive rotten egg odor that makes gas easier to detect. The brochure also reminds customers to call Miss Utility at 811 prior to digging anywhere—from large construction jobs to home landscaping and gardening projects.
If you detect a gas leak:
•Leave the building or area immediately and go to a safe place where you can call BGE, toll free, 24 hours a day at 1-800-685-0123.
•Extinguish all open flames. Do not use matches or lighters and do not attempt to light an appliance.
•Do not use any phones, electric switches, thermostats or appliance controls. All of these devices, including battery operated equipment, can cause sparks, and ignite natural gas.
•Do not start or turn off vehicles or motorized equipment. Abandon any motorized equipment you may be operating.
•Do not attempt to find the source of the leak or to repair a leak.
•When you call, BGE will respond promptly to survey the area, perform safety measures, and repair BGE’s equipment. There is no charge to investigate a gas leak.
•For more information on natural gas safety and to view an electronic version of BGE’s natural gas safety brochure, visit: bge.com/naturalgassafety.