Know the symptoms.

To burn, natural gas must mix with the proper amount of air and be ignited by a flame or a spark. A properly burning natural gas flame will be a crisp blue color. If natural gas is burned without enough air, it may produce carbon monoxide — a poisonous gas.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can occur when coal, wood, propane, kerosene or natural gas isn't properly or completely burned. That can happen in different ways, such as when a heater, stove or furnace is malfunctioning or when a charcoal grill is used indoors without proper ventilation. It can even happen when your chimney hasn't been cleaned or is blocked by something.

A person exposed to carbon monoxide may initially complain of dizziness, headache, nausea, fatigue and other flu-like symptoms. Heavy or prolonged exposure can lead to loss of consciousness and even convulsions that can cause brain damage or death.

Protect yourself and your family by:

• Making sure all of the natural gas appliances in your home are properly installed and maintained.
• Checking to ensure your chimney flues, vent pipes and heat exchangers are not cracked, bent or closed. Inspect them every year.
• Not using a charcoal grill indoors unless it's designed for indoor use. (These have built-in exhaust systems that carry smoke and fumes out of the house.)
• Not letting your car run in a closed garage. Always open the garage door before you start the engine.

A Family Guide to Natural Gas Safety - Do You Know the Basics?

Keep a natural gas kitchen range clean. Rinse and dry the burners before reinstalling. Be careful not to damage or change the settings on air shutters or sleeves of the range burners.

NEVER use a kitchen range or oven to heat a room. This can produce dangerous carbon monoxide gas, as well as damage the range.

If your gas range burners don't light, check to see if the pilot lights are burning. If they're not, turn all the burners to "OFF" and apply a match to each pilot light (unless you have electronic ignition or if there's a strong natural gas odor).

If a natural gas stove or furnace pilot light won't light, call your appliance or heating contractor. If you smell a strong odor of natural gas, leave the house and call LG&E at (502) 589-5511 (outside Louisville 800-331-7370) from a location where there is no natural gas odor, such as a neighbor's home. Remember, never use a telephone or flashlight, switch a light on or off, or light a match if you smell a strong odor of gas.

Maintain gas service lines inside and outside the house to prevent leaks. The gas service lines buried from the property line to the house and all piping within the house are the responsibility of the property owner. LG&E will periodically survey all outside piping for leaks and will advise you if any maintenance is required on your portion of the service line. We will also inform you of any rust that is discovered on any outside piping that is exposed to the weather and advise you to paint the affected area.


Teach Natural Gas Safety to Your Family

Every family member should know how to find and turn off the natural gas shut-off valve at the meter. The valve should be closed only in the event of a natural gas emergency in your home or if advised to do so by LG&E. If you turn off the shut-off valve, do not turn it on again. Call LG&E at (502) 589-5511 (outside Louisville 800-331-7370) and let us safely re-establish your gas service for you at no charge.

Teach small children to stay away from the gas range and other gas-burning appliances. Don't let children swing from or play with pipes leading to water heaters or ranges.

Practice safety drills for getting the family out of the house at night in the event of a natural gas emergency or any other emergency situation, such as a fire.

Ensure that members of your family know to contact Kentucky 811 before doing any landscaping or planting in your yard or prior to beginning a home addition or pool installation.

To prevent accidents:

• Follow manufacturer's instructions for using all appliances.
• Have your appliances installed, serviced and repaired by professionals.
• Keep areas around your natural gas water heater and furnace clean and free of flammables.
• Contact Kentucky 811 to have them locate natural gas and other underground utility lines before you begin any yard excavation.

What to do if you smell natural gas:

• If you smell natural gas and can't find the source(s), immediately leave the house and go to an area where there is no natural gas odor, such as a neighbor's house. Call LG&E at (502) 589-5511 (outside Louisville 800-331-7370).
• If the odor is not strong, open the doors and windows for ventilation.
• If the odor is strong and persists, get everyone out of the house immediately.
• Never use a telephone or flashlight, switch a light on or off or light a match if you smell natural gas.
• Don't try to relight a gas furnace, water heater or range until you are sure there's no smell of natural gas.

LG&E's Natural Gas Trouble/Emergencies (24 hours/day, 365 days/year):
(502) 589-5511

LG&E's Customer Service Department (M-F 7am-7pm):
(502) 589-1444

Kentucky 811:
Dial '811'