Natural gas is a safe and reliable source of energy, with safety being our highest priority. It is our responsibility as your natural gas provider to help you be an informed customer and to partner with you in utilizing natural gas in a safe manner. To most customers natural gas is an invisible fuel, since the pipelines that transport our product are underground and out of sight. You can enjoy all the comforts of clean natural gas without ever knowing we are there.

You may not realize this, but natural gas by itself is completely odorless and colorless. For your safety we odorize the natural gas with Mercaptan to give it its distinctive "rotten egg" or sulfur-like smell. The odorant is added to enable you to detect escaping gas or a gas leak, even in the smallest quantities, long before there is any danger. Once a year, we mail a "scratch and sniff " insert to all of our customers to help ensure that they are familiar with this smell. Whether or not you use natural gas, you need to be aware to help keep you safe.

Call Gallatin Public Utilities at (615) 451-5922 if you smell natural gas or if suspect a leak - always call 911 for emergencies.

Natural Gas Leak

How to Recognize A Natural Gas Leak:

You can detect an indoor natural gas leak by the "rotten egg" odor produced. You may also notice a hissing noise coming from your natural gas appliance or piping. An outdoor leak can be recognized by a strong natural gas odor; this odor may be accompanied by a hissing sound near a natural gas line or a gas meter, blowing dirt, or dead vegetation.

If you suspect a natural gas leak - Investigate Immediately

If cannot locate the source of the odor or if the odor persists call Gallatin Public Utilities immediately at (615) 451-5922. If the odor is strong or you notice a hissing sound, leave the area immediately:

• Evacuate the area and do not return until Gallatin Public
• Utilities or emergency officials have declared the area safe.
• DO NOT use anything electrical that may create a spark
• DO NOT operate any light switches
• DO NOT turn any lights on or off
• DO NOT light a match
• DO NOT attempt to locate the source of a leak
• DO NOT attempt to stop a leak
• DO NOT use your home telephone or cell phone
• DO use a neighbor's phone or a cell phone away from the building to call Gallatin Public Utilities at (615) 451-5922, or 911.

Carbon Monoxide

Natural gas is non-toxic and a clean burning fossil fuel. Natural gas equipment that is functioning normally will burn the natural gas cleanly, producing heat, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. However, if the natural gas equipment malfunctions or is not working properly, it can become dangerous.

Natural gas, like any fossil fuel, requires enough oxygen from the air to burn safely and completely. Without sufficient oxygen, the natural gas burns incompletely and carbon monoxide (CO) can result. Carbon monoxide is often referred to as the "Silent Killer", and for good reason - it is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, which can be dangerous even at low concentrations.

Carbon monoxide is easily absorbed into the blood stream, displacing oxygen, which can eventually result in brain damage or even death. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning vary, depending on the amount of carbon monoxide absorbed into the blood stream. These symptoms include headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness, and convulsions.

If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Move yourself and any other victims to a well ventilated area
• Call 911
• Seek medical attention immediately
• Contact Gallatin Public Utilities for a carbon monoxide inspection
• Do Not return to your home or business until the source of carbon monoxide has been found, the problem corrected and the area declared safe

You can help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning - through proper equipment installation, use, and maintenance.

• Make sure that all natural gas appliances are vented properly, and keep flues and chimneys clear of debris or obstructions
• Have a qualified technician inspect your heating and cooling equipment annually. The technician should check the appliance for proper adjustment and should check the vents for corrosion or blockage
• Install a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home, particularly near bedrooms and living areas

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