BALTIMORE (Oct. 29, 2015) – Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) would like to remind customers to familiarize themselves with natural gas safety tips by reviewing BGE’s natural gas safety brochure being distributed to homes and businesses in and around BGE’s natural gas service area. With cooler temperatures and the heating season on the horizon, customers should be mindful that households and businesses not served directly by natural gas are still in proximity to BGE’s and other operators’ gas equipment. It is essential that all residents know how to recognize, report, and respond to natural gas leaks and help prevent damage to the gas system.

“Many of our customers will be increasing their use of natural gas with cooler temperatures now arriving in the Mid-Atlantic region so we are asking them to be cognizant of natural gas safety, as they should year-round,” said Christie McMullen, vice president gas distribution for BGE. “BGE remains committed to maintaining a safe and reliable natural gas system and we start that process by educating our customers on how to live and work safely around natural gas, pipelines and facilities.”

BGE’s natural gas safety brochure will be mailed to all customers. The brochure provides information in English and Spanish, detailing how to recognize and report natural gas leaks. Additionally, a scratch-and-sniff odor indicator is included that reminds customers about “mercaptan,” a safety additive that BGE and other utilities put in natural gas to give it a distinctive rotten egg odor that makes gas easier to detect. Captain Mercaptan, BGE’s natural gas safety hero who provides simple tips to children and their families about natural gas safety, derives his name from the safety additive.

If you detect a gas leak: 

• Leave the building or area immediately and go to a safe place where you can call BGE, toll free, 24 hours a day at 1.800.685.0123. 
• Extinguish all open flames. Do not use matches or lighters and do not attempt to light an appliance. 
• Do not use any phones, electric switches, thermostats or appliance controls. All of these devices, including battery operated equipment, can cause sparks, and ignite natural gas. 
• Do not start or turn off vehicles or motorized equipment. Abandon any motorized equipment you may be operating. 
• Do not attempt to find the source of the leak or to repair a leak. 
• When you call, BGE will respond promptly to survey the area, perform safety measures, and repair BGE’s equipment. There is no charge to investigate a gas leak. 
• For more information on natural gas safety and to view an electronic version of BGE’s natural gas safety brochure, visit bge.com/naturalgassafety.

BGE traces its roots back to 1816 and the first gas utility in North America. Today the company provides safe, reliable natural gas service to more than 650,000 gas customers in central Maryland. Customers are reminded to immediately contact BGE at 1.800.685.0123 from a safe location if they have any questions or concerns about natural gas. For more information on the Captain Mercaptan contest, including future adventures, visit bgegashero.com. Gas safety tips are available at bge.com/CaptainMercaptan. BGE also has a companion contest for electric safety, the BGE Wires Down Video Challenge, running now, prompting schools to create their own adaptation of BGE’s “Wires Down” electric safety commercial for a chance to win up to $10,000. Visit bgevideochallenge.com for the contest timeline and more information.

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BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest natural gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,200 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with 2014 revenues of approximately $27.4 billion. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.