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Hand holding the world Play it Safe.

Natural gas is a safe, clean-burning, low-cost source of energy. Most businesses and homeowners choose natural gas for heating, water heating, cooking and more.

While natural gas is a safe fuel source, we wanted to provide you with additional information on how to put safety first.


Playing it Safe Around Natural Gas

Natural gas is very important in our everyday lives. It is a safe, convenient form of energy we use daily to help make living and working easy and safe. But it is important to always play it safe around natural gas.

  • Call Before You Dig
    • Missouri law requires anyone who plans to excavate to notify Missouri One Call at least two working days in advance of the work so utilities can be located and marked. Planting a tree or placing a mailbox are examples of minor projects around the home that should have underground utilities located before digging begins. Repair costs for damaged utilities can be very expensive. It’s also dangerous. Request a locate at www.mo1call.com or call 811.
    • For general digging questions, call CU at (417)831-8445.

  • Qualified Professional
    • Always hire a qualified gas professional to inspect and service gas appliances, check connections to fuel lines, and verify proper venting before using any appliances.

Safety Topics

  • Smell Gas
    • It is important for everyone in your family to recognize the "smell" of natural gas. Mercaptan is the chemical added to natural gas to give it an easily detected odor. The smell is often described as similar to sulfur or rotten eggs.
    • A scratch and sniff brochure is available to help you identify the smell of natural gas. Call (417)863-9000 to request a sample.
    • If you smell natural gas, your equipment may not be operating properly; don’t take chances. Leave the immediate area quickly. Once you are safely away from the area of danger call CU at (417)863-9000 to report a natural gas emergency. Phones are answered 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The call is free. The service is free.
    • If you smell gas, don’t do any of the following actions - they could ignite the natural gas:
      • Don’t turn a light switch off or on.
      • Don’t use a telephone, cell phone or computer.
      • Don’t ring a doorbell.
      • Don’t use smoking devices or have open flames.
    • Natural gas detectors are recommended for individuals with diminished or no sense of smell. Most gas detectors plug into an electrical outlet and must be mounted on the wall. Check with local home building stores for purchase and follow the recommended guidelines for installation.

  • Carbon Monoxide
    • If you have flu-like symptoms that disappear after spending time outside, it may be a warning sign that carbon monoxide (CO) is accumulating in the building. Symptoms to look for can range from mild headaches, fatigue, and nausea to unconsciousness, cardiac/respiratory failure.
    • CO is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. It is produced when combustion of any fuel takes place without sufficient oxygen. You can’t see or smell it, so CO can accumulate unnoticed and cause illness or death.
    • To prevent CO poisoning, have your heating equipment and appliances inspected by a qualified professional. Check vents, flue pipes and chimneys for corrosion or blockages. Never run your vehicle or fuel-burning equipment in an enclosed space. When using space heaters, always read manufacturer’s instruction for proper use and ventilation requirements.
    • Consider including a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Position these detectors in an open area where they will not be covered by furniture or draperies.

  • What to do if a Natural Gas Line is Hit
    • If you accidentally uncover a natural gas line, or even a line that you suspect might be a natural gas line, stop digging and call CU at (417)863-9000.
    • If you hear hissing and/or smell natural gas, do the following:
      • Turn off the equipment that struck the gas line. Do not attempt to move it away as this may ignite the escaping gas.
      • Move to a safe distance away from the leak site.
      • Do not allow anyone to approach the leak site.
      • Turn off any other equipment in the vicinity of the leak site to prevent accidental ignition.
      • Call CU at (417)863-9000 and give the dispatcher the location of the site and any other details to assist CU in finding the site.

  • Flammables
    • Gasoline and other flammable liquids should never be used indoors. These products should be stored in an approved container, in closed cabinets with latches, and away from appliances (flammable ignition) and children.
    • Paint thinner, adhesives, solvents, gasoline, and other cleaning agents emit hazardous vapors that could ignite when used in a poorly ventilated area with a pilot light or open flame.

  • Hot Water
    • Please observe the manufacturer’s recommendations for water heater settings and verify it is set to a safe temperature. Exceeding these settings can be dangerous, particularly for small children.
    • Always check the water temperature before placing a child in the bathtub; never leave a child alone or with other young children in the bathtub.

  • Snow and Ice
    • Cold weather may encourage us to stay indoors where it is warm. This is the time of year when extra precautions may be necessary to keep natural gas equipment outside our homes cleared and working efficiently. When snow and ice fall from roofs and block regulators or relief valves, it prevents them from functioning properly. Also, combustion air vents must be cleared of snow and ice to prevent carbon monoxide accumulation or operational problems.
    • Use a broom to sweep ice and snow away from your gas meter. Chimneys and vents for gas appliances must be cleared following a major snow or ice storm to enable proper venting and to prevent carbon monoxide accumulation. Never use a shovel or kick the meter to break or clear ice. Damages to the meter could cause serious problems.

  • Fuel Lines
    • System reliability and safety are very important to CU. Our gas technicians regularly perform routine leak checks on both natural gas mains and services every three years. These service lines are checked for leaks up to the meter.
    • Any piping or buried fuel lines on your property, beyond the meter, are your responsibility to maintain. For your safety, we recommend these lines be checked regularly for leaks and corrosion by a qualified technician.

  • Emergency Numbers
    • If you have a natural gas emergency, call (417)863-9000.




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