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Safety

  • Are you able to detect a natural gas leak? Your three senses will alert you if a leak occurs.

At Peoples, we constantly strive to make sure our practices are as safe as possible. We also want to make sure that you, as a customer, know how to remain safe when dealing with natural gas. This page will provide an overview of natural gas safety, our own safety measures, and what you can do to remain safe. You will find important information on what to do if you smell gas, what to do if you're digging, and other valuable tips and guidelines.

IF YOU SUSPECT A GAS LEAK:

  • Leave the home, building, or area of the suspected leak, and get to a safe area
  • Call our emergency hotline 1-800-400-4271, which answers 24-hours a day, or call 911 to notify police and fire officials
  • Warn others to stay out of the area

DO NOT:

  • Touch, breathe in, or make contact with a leak
  • Light a match, turn light switches on or off, use a cell or home phone, or do anything to create a spark
  • Attempt to extinguish any fire
  • Attempt to operate any valves
  • Start a car or operate an automatic garage door
  • Try to find the source of the leak yourself

Other Do's and Don'ts

DO'S

  • Smell a sulfur-like, rotten egg odor? DO leave the area and call our emergency number at 1-800-400-4271 or dial 911 immediately.

  • See a line of brown, dry grass (in an otherwise moist area)? DO call our emergency number at 1-800-400-4271.

  • DO keep the area around your gas meter clear of debris.

  • DO check all of your outdoor appliance exhausts year round to make sure they are clear.

  • DO install a carbon monoxide detector, and make sure to regularly test it.

  • DO keep your furnace healthy by changing your filter as required and doing regular checks 

  • DO ask to see ID when a Peoples worker stops by to service your gas line or any appliances.

DON'TS

  • If you smell natural gas, or if you hear or see signs of a gas leak, DO NOT attept to find the leak yourself. Instead, leave the area immediately and call our emergency number1-800-400-4271 or 911.

  • DO NOT open your windows if you smell natural gas in your home! Natural gas is combustible only when it makes up 5-15% of the air in a given space. By opening a window, you might actually make the area more unsafe.

  • DO NOT turn on/off any lights or appliances if you smell natural gas in your home or building.

  • DO NOT store flammable products in the same room/area as your furnace.

  • DO NOT keep combustible material or debris around or near your furnace. You should have a clear space around your furnace at all times.

  • DO NOT go near an area that has a sulfur-like, rotten egg odor.

  • DO NOT use your weed-whacker or lawn mower too close to your gas meter.

  • DO NOT tie your dog to your gas meter.

  • DO NOT uproot any trees or shrubs before calling 811. If you do plan on uprooting and trees or shrubs around your gas meter, please call Peoples first to make sure it is safe. Roots can easily become entangled with natural gas pipelines.

Red Tags, Yellow Tags & Door Hangers

Red Tag

If you find a Peoples “Red Tag” on an appliance or valve, then there is a problem with your piping or appliance. A "Red Tag" is also known as “Appliance or Piping Shut Off Notice." It is placed on an appliance or pipe by a Peoples employee to make the customer aware of a dangerous situation that the employee discovered during our visit. You should read the Red Tag for an explanation of the unsafe condition.

As instructed on the Red Tag, if you see a Red Tag, you MUST contact a qualified person (we suggest a professional natural gas plumber) to resolve the unsafe condition before the supply of gas is restored to that appliance or section of pipe. The customer should not operate the tagged appliance or section of pipe until the defect has been repaired or replaced.

The customer does not need to contact Peoples to remove a Red Tag. A qualified person can remove the Red Tag after the issues listed on the tag are resolved.

For help locating a qualified person or plumber, please contact the Better Business Bureau at (412) 456-2700 or visit their website at www.bbb.org.

Yellow Tag

Also known as a “Live Gas To This Point Notice,” a Peoples “Yellow Tag” is placed on gas valves by Peoples employees to make you aware that there is natural gas against that valve in your house piping. If that valve is opened, gas will flow beyond that point. Only a qualified person should operate the valve.

The customer does not need to contact Peoples to remove a Yellow Tag. The Yellow Tag may be removed after a qualified person opens the tagged valve.

For help locating a qualified person, please contact the Better Business Bureau at (412) 456-2700 or visit their website at www.bbb.org.

Door Hangers

If Peoples needs to get in touch with you, but you are not home, we may leave a door hanger. There are a few different reasons why we might leave a door hanger, such as:

Each door hanger will provide you with the next steps you should take. If you have any questions, feel free to give our Customer Service Center a call at 1-800-764-0111.

 

Peoples e-SMART Programs

Help Kids Become e-SMART

Peoples invites you to help your kids become an e-SMART kid. Becoming e-SMART means learning about natural gas, and how to use it safely and wisely. Check out our games and activities, and you'll be on your way!

Become an e-SMART Worker

e-SMART Worker is a safety outreach website designed to educate contractors and their teams on how to work safely around natural gas lines. Click here to learn about safe practices, access case studies, and review the Worker Beware video.Visit our e-SMART Worker site for information and safe practices for digging around pipelines.

Become an e-SMART First Responder

e-SMART First Responder is a safety resource website designed to help first responders work safely in emergencies where gas utilities are involved. Firefighters, police officers, and EMTs are typically the first people on the scene of an emergency, and they face the greatest risk from natural gas leaks and fires. Visit our e-SMART First Responder site to access advanced safety information, training tools, and links to related sites.

More About Safety

  • First Responder Training
    We want to make sure first responders are prepared if natural gas is involved in an emergency. If you are interested in a Peoples Natural Gas First Responder Training course, please contact Jeff Repasky at Jeffrey.Repasky@peoples-gas.com.
  • Freddy Facts Coloring Book
    Want to help your child learn about natural gas safety with a fun activity? Download the Freddy Facts coloring book featuring our mascot, Freddy the Flame!
    Download Coloring Book
  • Gas Theft Hotline

    Not only is stealing natural gas illegal, it's a serious safety risk. We've created a gas theft hotline for people to report suspected gas theft. If you suspect that someone is stealing natural gas, please report it to 1-866-534-9094 or GasTheft@peoples-gas.com. 

    Learn More

  • We Play It Safe

    Peoples is committed to protecting you, your property, and the environment. Using the latest technology, security, and industry practices, natural gas pipelines are monitored to maintain service and safety. Take a look at this brochure to see how we're ensuring your safety.

    Play It Safe Brochure.pdf

  • You can identify a natural gas leak by:
    • SMELL: A strong odor of natural gas can indicate unburned fuel in the air.​​
    • SIGHT: Dirt or water blowing up from the ground may indicate natural gas leak.
    • SOUND: Natural gas leaks may have a loud, high-pitched whistle or roar.