Nicor Gas encourages customers to learn more about natural gas safety

Staff Report

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — At Nicor Gas, safe and reliable service is the utility’s highest priority. While Nicor Gas provides information regarding natural gas safety throughout the year, with gardening and construction in full swing, this is a great time to reinforce several important safety messages.

“Safety is our focus at Nicor Gas,” said Rocco D’Alessandro, executive vice president of Operations for Nicor Gas. “Safety is ever present for employees whether they are in the field, behind a desk, or at home, but safety cannot end with just the company. To truly focus on safety, Nicor Gas must also inform our customers and the general public about what they can do to facilitate the safe use of natural gas, and National Safety Month is a great time to continue to get the word out.”

Call JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) before digging

With summer’s warmer temperatures, more people are heading outdoors to spruce up gardens and begin construction work. Before beginning to dig, utilities recommend contractors, workers and residents follow pipeline safety procedures and be aware of natural gas pipelines buried underneath their property.

Guidelines to follow before starting any digging project:

• Call JULIE (811) or visit www.illinois1call.com at least two working days before you dig. The 48-hour notice does not include Saturdays, Sundays or holidays — never dig without marks.

• Begin the project within 14 calendar days from the date of lines being marked.

• If the marks are destroyed or removed before beginning any project, then JULIE must be called again.

• Remember, the call to JULIE must be made by the homeowner or contractor — it’s the law.

If in doubt about any digging project, call JULIE (811) — calls are free, and operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Detecting gas leaks

It is important to know the signs of a gas leak and what to do in case of an emergency.

Following are three ways to detect a gas leak:

• Smell: Natural gas is injected with a distinct odor, which many people equate to that of rotten eggs.

• Sight: There may be visible blowing dirt, bubbling water, or discolored vegetation near a leaking buried natural gas line.

• Sound: You may hear a hissing or blowing sound near a leaking gas meter or gas appliance.

Also, if you experience a loss of natural gas or reduced pressure, call Nicor immediately at 1-888-Nicor4u (1-888-642-6748).

If you suspect that gas is leaking, follow these steps:

1. Exit the building or area immediately, leaving doors and windows open as you exit. Do not open windows if they’re not already open. Do not use your telephone or cell phone, operate any appliance, light a match, or turn light switches on or off.

2. Call Nicor Gas at 1-888-Nicor4u (1-888-642-6748) from a neighboring location.

3. Wait at the neighboring location until Nicor Gas determines it is safe to return.

Pipeline safety

Natural gas companies, including Nicor Gas, install aboveground pipeline markers to indicate the approximate location of buried large diameter, high-pressure gas transmission lines. These line markers display the name of the pipeline operator and the telephone number where the operator can be reached in case of an emergency. Pipeline markers and warning signs indicate only the presence of a pipeline, and they should not be used or relied upon to determine the exact location of the pipeline.

For more information about natural gas safety, visit the Nicor Gas website, www.nicorgas.com, and click on Safety.

From the Aug. 3-9, 2011, issue