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Keep Your Home Safe

Stay Safe: Protect your Home, Appliances and Family


You can protect your home and family from hidden dangers by following the proper precautions. From maintaining your appliances to preparing for winter, there are simple steps you can take to remain safe. We’ll keep you informed on how to prevent carbon monoxide buildup, keep your appliances running safely, and staying warm during the colder months.

Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Danger 

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can be deadly in high doses. Without a carbon monoxide detector, it’s nearly impossible to detect. A buildup of CO can lead to serious risks, including poisoning or death.

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Protect your Home with a CO Detector

A carbon monoxide detector is essential for your home. It alerts you when CO levels become unsafe, giving you time to act. Certain groups like expecting mothers, infants, people with heart conditions, and smokers are more susceptible to carbon monoxide. Don’t wait – install one today and keep your family safe.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Stay Safe

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is dangerous but preventable. Here’s how to protect your home:

Early Warning Signs to Watch Out For

  • Condensation: Excessive moisture on walls, rafters, floors, and glass surfaces can be a sign of CO.
  • Dead or dying house plants: The lack of oxygen from high CO levels can affect the growth of fragile house plants.
  • Lethargic pets: Most often, CO will affect small pets faster than humans.
  • Aldehydes: Quite often, an aldehyde (sweet, yet pungent) smell is associated with the presence of CO, but not always. 

Common Causes

  • Improper appliance installation or venting.
  • Lack of ventilation or maintenance.
  • Misusing fuel-burning appliances (e.g., grills or generators indoors).

Prevention Tips

  • Install appliances and vents professionally.
  • Inspect for rust, carbon buildup, or improper flames.
  • Use gas logs correctly; vented logs require masonry fireplaces with open dampers.
  • Install and maintain CO detectors:
    • Follow manufacturer instructions.
    • Avoid placing detectors near kitchens, bathrooms, or garages.

Reminder: Never use a red-tagged appliance until inspected and repaired by a professional. For more information on safety tags on appliances click here.

Winter Safety: Stay Warm and Safe This Season

Cold weather can bring challenges, but with a few precautions, you can keep your home safe and cozy all winter long. Here’s how:

Winter Safety Tips

  1. Boost Energy Efficiency: Replace furnace filters, seal leaks around doors and windows, and check out our 5 Tips to Save on Heat.
  2. Prevent Carbon Monoxide (CO) Risks: Test your smoke and CO detectors, replace batteries, and install a CO detector if you don’t have one. If the alarm sounds, open windows, exit your home, and call 911.
  3. Avoid Frozen Pipes: Insulate pipes near outer walls, open cabinet doors to let warm air circulate, and consider draining pipes if you’ll be away for an extended period of time. Never use a torch to thaw frozen pipes. Call a professional.
  4. Protect Your Gas Meter: Clear snow and ice with a broom, but never use hard objects or cover the meter with insulation or plastic.
  5. Use Space Heaters Safely: Follow manufacturer instructions and never rely on unvented space heaters as your sole heat source.

Prevent Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes can cause costly damage. Wrap exposed pipes, let warm air circulate, and drain pipes if you’re leaving home for an extended period. If pipes freeze, call a professional—don’t attempt to thaw them yourself.

Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy peace of mind in the winter! For emergencies, call our 24/7 hotline at 1-800-400-4271.

Appliance Safety: Keep your Home Safe and Efficient

Proper maintenance of your natural gas appliances is key to safety and efficiency. Follow these simple tips to protect your home and family:

General Appliance Safety Tips

  • Schedule annual inspections by a qualified professional.
  • Keep combustibles like rags, paper, and flammable products away from gas appliances.
  • Ensure proper airflow around appliances—don’t block vents or registers.
  • Regularly check for rust, carbon buildup, or improper flame patterns.

Expand the sections below to learn specific safety tips for your gas appliances. For information about product recalls that may affect your appliances visit the CPSC website or call 1-800-638-2772.

Furnace Safety

  • Replace furnace filters at least three times each heating season.
  • Keep heat registers and cold air returns clear of furniture and drapes.
  • Have a professional inspect the thermostat, heat exchanger, and vents annually.

Water Heater Safety

  • Elevate water heaters in garages 18 inches above the floor (or follow local codes).
  • Lower the temperature to prevent scalding—125°F or lower is recommended.
  • Never store flammable products near the water heater.

Dryer Safety

  • Always vent gas dryers outdoors using approved metal ducting.
  • Regularly clean the exhaust duct and surrounding areas to prevent lint buildup.

Range and Oven Safety

  • Keep the range top clean of grease to avoid fire hazards.
  • Never use the oven or stove to heat your home.

Gas Fireplace Logs

  • For vented logs, keep the damper open permanently using a damper lock.
  • Follow manufacturer instructions for proper log placement to prevent carbon monoxide risks.

Pilot Lights

  • Most natural gas appliances have safety features to stop gas flow if the pilot light goes out (known as 100% shut-off).
  • Older appliances with an AB valve may allow a small gas leak through the pilot tubing if the pilot light is out—shut off gas at the appliance isolation valve in these cases.
  • Outdoor gas appliances like grills and gas lights typically lack safety features but vent gas outside. Always follow the manufacturer’s relighting instructions.
  • If you smell gas, leave the area immediately and call Peoples' emergency hotline at 1-800-400-4271.