Top 10 Rules for Natural Gas Safety
To play it safe around your home, just remember these top ten rules for using natural gas the right way.
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1. DO remember that a natural gas leak smells like rotten eggs. If a really bad smell happens all of a sudden, get out of the house right away and find a grown-up. |
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2. DO ask your mom or dad to install a carbon monoxide detector. It works like a smoke detector to keep your family safe. |
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3. DON'T hang on pipes in the basement or jump on the meter outside. The pipes might come loose, letting the gas escape. And remind grown-ups to keep the outside meter clear in case of an emergency. |
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4. DO help the grown-ups in your house keep little kids away from gas appliances. You can help them put safety covers on the knobs. |
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5. DO be very careful using a gas stove. Roll up your sleeves, keep towels and hot pads away from the flame, and make sure a grown-up is around to help. |
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6. DO remind grown-ups to call before they dig. If you’re helping someone dig a hole, it’s very important to have underground utility lines marked before you start. |
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7. DON'T ever try to use a gas appliance to keep warm. Using a gas appliance the wrong way can cause deadly carbon monoxide. If the power goes out, bundle up in layers of clothes instead. |
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8. DON’T pile up boxes, paints or anything else around a gas appliance. Boxes, paint and other chemicals are a fire hazard, and appliances need oxygen to run properly, just like people need air to breathe. |
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9. DO remind grown-ups to have appliances inspected every year. This is the best way to keep your family safe. |
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10. DON’T play around or try to move a gas appliance. The piping or connector that feeds gas to the appliance might get damaged or come loose. |
Test your safety smarts
Now that you’ve read the natural gas rules, test your smarts by trying this fun online game:
Fun stuff to print out
Make a Safety Comic Strip
[PDF format – one page]
Energy Safety Survey
[PDF format – one page]
Alliant Energy Kids activity book
[PDF format – eight pages]
Links for teachers and parents: