Flooding Safety Tips for Peoples Customers
As the remnants of Hurricane Ida move across our region, many of our customers are under a serious threat of flooding. If your home or business may be affected by flooding, here are a couple of important tips to keep in mind.
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Turn off electrical appliance power. Flooding can damage appliances. In the event of a flood, turn off electrical power to each appliance and leave it off.
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Be careful using gas pumps and generators. If your home has been declared safe to enter after flooding, and you want to clear floodwater out, remember to be cautious when using portable engines indoors. Only use water pumps and generators in well-ventilated areas, and keep a carbon monoxide detector nearby. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using gas pumps and generators.
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Do NOT relight your gas appliances. If your gas appliances have been exposed to floodwaters, do not attempt to relight gas appliances yourself. A qualified professional should check, clean, repair, and test all appliances and/or pipes. Attempting to relight a flooded gas appliance could result in an unsafe situation, including carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Do NOT turn your home’s gas supply back on. If your natural gas service was shut off by Peoples, a gas contractor, or firefighter due to flooding, do NOT attempt to turn your gas service back on yourself. Even if your appliances are clear of water, your gas pipes could still be filled with water. Those pipes must be inspected by a licensed contractor to ensure they are safe.
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Call us! If water levels were high enough to cover your gas meter, if your gas appliances were affected by floodwaters, or if your home or business’s gas supply was turned off, please call our 24/7 emergency number at 1-800-400-4271 to check your gas pipework before using your gas appliances.