Gas Leaks
If you smell gas in a localized area near a gas appliance, check the pilot light. Most modern automatic equipment, like water heaters and furnaces, have safety shut-offs to control the escape of gas if the pilot goes out. Manually controlled appliances, like a gas range, may have a pilot light that does not turn off, but can be safely re-lit. All appliances should have a panel with the lighting instructions attached. If you can’t determine the source of a gas odor, and it is localized around an appliance, turn the gas to the appliance off at the shut-off valve and get a professional to look at the appliance.If the odor is strong and far-reaching, or the source of the odor can’t be accounted for or controlled, you have an emergency. As with any emergency, stay calm. Call Duke Energy at (513) 651-4466 or toll-free at (800) 634-4300.
If you hear gas escaping, or have an overwhelming gas odor (a “house full of gas”), get out as quickly as possible without activating ignition sources.
Ignition sources can be matches or lighters, and also electrical switches. If a switch is on, leave it on; if it’s off, leave it off. Either operation can cause a spark. Keep in mind that flashlights, doorbells, and telephones can be ignition sources, too.
Don’t take chances! If you smell a gas odor, leave the premises immediately and get a neighbor to call the gas company and call your fire department.
