How To Deal with Your Home's Gas After a Quake

Following a strong earthquake, escaping gas can pose a very serious danger. So the Southern California Gas Company provides some tips on what people can do before and after a quake.

Before an earthquake:

• Strap water heaters in place to prevent them from moving or toppling
  over. They should be fastened to wall studs by metal straps around the bottom
  third and the upper third, anchored by bolts. The lower strap should be at
  least four inches above the thermostat controls.
• Replace semi-rigid aluminum or copper gas line connectors with
  approved corrugated metal connectors. These are less likely to crack during an
  earthquake. Connectors and strapping kits are available at most hardware
  stores.
• Know where the natural gas meter is. They are often just above ground
  on one side of the home, but could be inside or underground. A shut-off valve
  should be installed at every gas appliance, and may be required by state and/or
  local codes. If a leak occurs at a specific appliance, the valve will permit
  you to turn off the gas at the appliance rather than shutting off all gas
  service at the meter. Some valves require a wrench to turn them.
• Have a 12-inch or larger adjustable wrench handy to manually turn off
  the gas meter should it be necessary if a gas leak is suspected after an
  emergency.

After an earthquake:

• Do not turn off the gas meter after an earthquake unless you smell
  gas, hear the sound of gas escaping or see other signs of a gas leak -- and
  only if it is safe to do so. Once the gas has been turned off, it may take
  SoCalGas several days to restore service, depending on the magnitude of the
  emergency. Do not attempt to turn the gas back on yourself.
• If there is an apparent gas leak, remain calm. Do not light a match,
  candle or cigarette, and do not turn electrical devices -- not even a light
  switch -- on or off, or use any other device or equipment that may cause a
  spark. Note that gas leaking from a plastic pipe can cause static electricity
  which can ignite the gas. From a safe location, people can call SoCalGas 24
  hours a day, seven days a week at (800) 427-2200. For Spanish speakers, call
  (800) 342-4545. And people can also call 911.
• If a gas leak is suspected and it is safe to do so, turn the gas off
  at the meter. Using a 12-inch or larger adjustable wrench, make a quarter-turn
  of the valve, moving it from a vertical position to a horizontal position. This
  will shut off the flow of gas.
  
  
• A diagram and instructions for turning off the gas meter are printed in
  the ``Survival Guide'' section of most telephone directory white pages, and is
  also available at www.socalgas.com.
• 
  If the gas is shut off at the meter, do not turn it back on yourself. Call SoCalGas to have the gas turned back on and to have the pilot lights
  relit.

For more natural gas safety information, visit SoCalGas' website at www.socalgas.com/safety.

City News Service