Safety Tips

Safe use of Natural Gas In Your Home

All natural gas burning appliances are designed to burn cleanly. A well-tuned appliance produces only heat, water vapour and carbon dioxide (not carbon monoxide). If your appliances are installed, maintained and operated properly they should not produce carbon monoxide. You can safeguard yourself and your loved ones by following these simple steps:

  • Have a qualified licensed technician or contractor conduct an annual inspection on your appliances, exhaust venting and fresh air vents.
  • Don’t take chances when having natural gas equipment installed or repaired. Use only licensed technicians or contractors.
  • Keep your natural gas equipment area clean. Never store flammable material on top of or next to your gas appliances. Always make sure there is adequate air circulation around all your appliances.
  • Never cover the draft hood, exhaust vent pipe, fresh air vents or chimneys of natural gas equipment.

Pilot Lights

Many older gas appliances have a small, continuously burning gas flame that ignites the main burner. Newer models have electric igniters.

  • Know which, if any, of your appliances have a pilot light.
  • Keep the manufacturer’s relighting instructions within easy reach.

Appliance Shut-off Valve

Most gas appliances have a valve that lets you turn off the gas to that appliance only. You should know where these valves are.

Gas Meter

If ever needed, knowing the location of your main shutoff valve will help you turn off the gas supply to your entire home quickly.  In general, you don’t need to shut off a gas meter unless there is a strong odour or sound of escaping gas or if there is major damage to the building.  If your gas is turned off, there may be a delay before Yellowhead Gas Co-op can turn your service on.  Do not turn it on yourself.

  • Know where your main shut-off valve is located.
  • Keep a wrench handy to turn off the gas.