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BALTIMORE (Nov. 13, 2019) – With cooler temperatures and the heating season on the horizon, BGE customers will be using more natural gas to heat their homes and businesses. Just as BGE prepares its natural gas and electric systems for winter, customers should prepare, too. Heating systems should be checked now and inspected by a qualified technician to ensure safe and efficient operation for the season ahead.

"Safety is a top priority for BGE, and it is vitally important that our customers know how to recognize and report any natural gas issues," said Chris Burton, BGE vice president of Gas Operations. "With the increased use of natural gas equipment during the colder winter months, it is also important that customers properly maintain that equipment."

Customers and residents also should remember the following important information about natural gas:

• Natural gas has no natural odor, so an odorant is added to help detect when a leak occurs.
• Leaks can be caused by construction or by ground movement during winter's deep freeze.
• Promptly reporting a natural gas odor plays a critical role in ensuring safety.
• Check your connectors- older brass flexible gas connectors that are attached to home appliances could be a possible safety hazard go to bge.com/safety for more information.

If you smell natural gas, call BGE at 1-877-778-7798, 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.

• If you smell a faint odor of natural gas, check to see if a pilot light is out or if a burner is partially on. If you cannot find the source, call BGE.
• If you smell a very strong odor of natural gas:
• Evacuate immediately and call 911 and BGE from outside
• Do not turn any electrical switches on or off
• Do not use devices such as phones, radios, doorbells or flashlights
• Do not smoke, strike a match or use a lighter
• Do not start a motor vehicle near the building or source of odor
• If you smell natural gas outside, especially near a natural gas meter, evacuate and call BGE immediately at 1-877-778-7798.

During winter storms, customers also should remember to:

• Keep exhaust vents for natural gas appliances like water heaters, furnaces and fireplaces clear of snow and ice to prevent buildup of carbon monoxide.
• Keep natural gas meters clear of snow and ice by using a broom or brush to gently clear the area around the meter.

BGE works hard to ensure safe, reliable, affordable and clean energy and energy services for more than 680,000 natural gas customers. The company inspects and maintains approximately 165 miles of natural gas transmission lines, over 7300 miles of  natural gas distribution lines, and close to 6400 miles of natural gas service lines. In addition, BGE responds to reports of natural gas odors in less than an hour – almost 100 percent of the time - which is one of the best response times among natural gas utilities.

For more information about natural gas safety, including a video on what to do if you smell gas, visit bge.com/safety.