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Natural Gas Safety Tips

Safety & Education

Call 811, it is a free call! The One Call Center will let us know who you are and where you intend to dig.

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Keep Meters Clean

It’s important to keep your natural gas meter clear of debris, vegetation, snow, and ice.

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Other Safety Information

Natural Gas Safety Tips

Cascade is committed to delivering natural gas safely and reliably to our customers. However, it’s important that natural gas appliances are maintained, utilize all proper ventilation technologies, and are safely operated. It’s easy if you follow these guidelines:

  • When lighting a burner or oven with no pilot light, always light the match first, place it at the burner, and then turn the range knob.
  • Make sure to install a vented range hood with your stovetop, and always use your stove’s ventilation hood when cooking.
  • If a burner flame goes out, shut off the range knob, wait for the gas to dissipate, then relight the burner.
  • Keep burners and range top clean.
  • Keep the area around your appliances and meter free of all combustible materials. Keep air ducts clear.
  • Inspect your furnace and water heater chimneys for loose- fitting joints.
  • Read and understand all of the warning labels on your natural gas appliances.
  • Install smoke alarms on each level of your house, including the basement. Replace batteries each year.
  • Keep an active Class ABC fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Check the expiration date.
  • You can also use baking soda to extinguish a grease fire. Small fires can be smothered with a wet towel or large pot cover.
  • Create a plan for getting out of your house in case of fire or other emergency.

Vapors Can Ignite More tips about vapors | Spanish

To prevent serious home accidents caused by flammable-liquid vapors in a garage or basement, follow these steps:

  • Always use flammable liquids in open, well-ventilated areas and away from any ignition source.
  • Don’t fill your lawn mower with gasoline near a natural gas appliance.
  • Store flammable liquids and solvent-soaked rags away from ignition sources and children’s reach.

Earthquake Preparedness Additional earthquake safety news | Spanish

Take a few simple precautions. Secure your water heater to a wall so it won’t fall over. Move flammable material away from any natural gas appliance.

After an earthquake, check to be sure nothing has fallen or spilled near a gas appliance. If you detect a gas odor, turn off the shut-off valve. Once you have your gas turned off, leave it off and call Cascade Natural Gas to restore service. After an emergency, it may take several days for us to reach you.

Safe Access to Meters

gas meter before and after snow removal

Cascade Natural Gas encourages customers to inspect their natural gas meter on a regular basis to make sure it is not obstructed and that snow and ice have not built up on the meter. For more information, visit our Meter Access and Safety page.

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Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a toxic, colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is produced by incomplete burning of natural gas, propane, kerosene or any other fossil fuel heat. CO comes from poorly functioning appliances, or appliances that are not vented or are incorrectly vented. Appliances such as furnaces, space heaters and even gas or charcoal grills pose a threat. Outdoor equipment such as portable generators, heaters and stoves also can create dangerous levels of CO in cabins and hunting/fishing shacks.

CO can be especially dangerous during the winter when homes are sealed up tight. The best ways to protect your family from CO are to:

  • Ensure that fuel-burning appliances are installed, maintained and used properly and safely. That includes having an annual inspection of heating and venting equipment by a qualified technician.
  • Never let a vehicle idle inside an attached garage, even with the door open. The CO from the exhaust can collect in the garage or go inside the home.
  • CO is lighter than air and as it rises, it accumulates near ceilings. Detectors need to be placed higher on the walls or on the ceiling. Make sure you don’t place them where they can be easily overlooked. Battery-operated detectors need to be checked monthly. Putting them in a place that’s eye level or higher makes remembering to check your CO detector easier.
    • With plug-in CO detectors, place them near the highest outlet you can. If the detector is too low, it may not warn you in time to keep you safe.
    • Keep CO detectors 15 feet away from any gas burning appliance or fireplace, as well as, the connecting door from the home to an attached garage. Small doses of CO are higher around these areas, and may trigger false alarms.
    • Don’t place a detector too close to a bathroom or kitchen. Excessive humidity interferes with their operation.
    • Keep them away from direct sunshine.
    • Avoid placing near windows that you open while grilling or mowing the lawn with a gas mower. Both of these devices emit large amounts of CO, and false alarms may sound.
    • Put the first carbon monoxide detector near the master bedroom. As you add them, place one on each level of your home.

Warning Signs of CO Poisoning

Since the symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu, victims often don’t realize the cause of their illness. CO poisoning symptoms can occur immediately or more gradually after long-term exposure. Symptoms do not include a fever, but do include:

  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Fainting
  • Tightness in the chest

If you suspect CO poisoning, get fresh air immediately. If exposure continues over a long period of time, CO poisoning can lead to brain damage or even death. If the symptoms are not accompanied by fever, if everyone in the family is ill, or you have pets acting strangely and the symptoms disappear when you leave the house, it could be CO poisoning.

Watch & Learn

5 Videos
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Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) Safety

What is CSST?

Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing is a flexible pipe used to deliver natural gas inside many homes and businesses. It has been installed in millions of U.S. buildings since the 1990s.

Why It Matters
If CSST isn’t properly installed and electrically bonded, lightning can travel through the building and strike the tubing. This can create tiny holes in the pipe, leading to natural gas leaks, fires, or even explosions.

Real-World Incidents
Across the U.S., lightning-related fires and gas leaks involving CSST have been reported. In several cases, lightning caused punctures in CSST, releasing gas that ignited and led to severe property damage and loss of life.

corrugated stainless steel tubing (csst) safety

What You Should Do

  • If your home or business was built after 1990—or if you’ve had gas system work done—you may have CSST.
  • If you’re unsure, have a qualified professional inspect your property.
  • If CSST is present, a licensed electrician should verify that it’s properly bonded and grounded.
  • Never use gas pipes of any kind for hanging items or other unintended purposes.

Who Should Pay Attention

  • Homeowners and DIYers who may work around gas appliances.
  • Trade professionals such as plumbers, appliance installers, and heating/cooling technicians.

Bottom Line
Properly bonded CSST is safe. If you suspect your building has CSST, a simple inspection by a licensed electrician can provide peace of mind and help protect your home from lightning-related hazards.