Appliance & Equipment Safety

Theft of Gas Puts Everyone at Risk

 

New England Gas Company is committed to providing natural gas to our customers in a safe and reliable manner.  Stealing natural gas is a dangerous act which puts everyone at risk.  Tampering with or bypassing a natural gas meter in order to obtain free natural gas is illegal and can be harmful to the perpetrator as well as to others.  Theft of gas is a serious crime and New England Gas Company will make every effort to ensure that anyone caught stealing gas is prosecuted to the fullest extent under the law.

 

To report a possible theft of gas, you may call New England Gas Company at (800) 544-4944 in Massachusetts.  All calls will be treated with discretion.  You may also notify your local police department to report a possible theft of gas.

 

 

Look For The Gas Industry Certification Markings

CSA International is the principal product testing, certification and standards development organization serving the gas industry in the United States and Canada. CSA is the only organization authorized by the American Gas Association (A.G.A.) and Canadian Gas Association (C.G.A.) to award certification marks for natural gas appliances and equipment.

CSA recently introduced redesigned certification markings for the natural gas industry in the United States and Canada. Appliances and equipment bearing these seals are of highest operational quality. This change represents a new look but the same high standard of service for the Blue Star and Blue Flame markings. Look for it on the natural gas appliances and equipment you’re evaluating. Click here to see the certification markings:

www.csa-international.org

 

Certain Older Gas Connectors May Be Dangerous

 

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, gas connectors are corrugated metal tubes used to connect gas appliances in your home to fuel gas supply pipes.  Some older brass connectors have come apart, causing fires and explosions resulting in deaths and injuries.

 

These older brass connectors have a serious flaw in how their tubing was joined to their end pieces.  Over time, the end pieces can separate from the tubing, and cause a serious gas leak, explosion or fire.

 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that to their knowledge, these dangerous uncoated brass connectors have not been made for more than 20 years, but many of them are still in use.  The older these connectors get, the greater the possibility of failure.

 

Although not all uncoated connectors have this flaw, it is very difficult to tell which ones do.  Therefore, any uncoated brass connector should be replaced immediately with either a new plastic-coated brass or a new stainless steel connector.  Connectors should always be replaced whenever the appliance is replaced or moved from its location.

 

Moving the appliance, even slightly, whether to clean behind it or to inspect its gas connector, can cause the complete failure of one of these older weakened connectors, possibly resulting in a deadly fire or explosion.

 

Do not move your appliance to check the connector!

 

WARNING:  Only a qualified professional should check your connector and replace it if needed.  Don't try to do this yourself!

 

Check Plastic Pipe Venting Systems

Homeowners should be aware that plastic pipe venting systems connected to some natural gas and propane furnaces, boilers and water heaters need to be inspected periodically in order to avoid potential safety hazards.  In certain situations, pipes may crack or separate at the fittings, causing harmful fumes to enter the home.  Please pay attention to the following details, which may affect you:

• If the vent on your furnace, boiler or water heater is plastic and was installed after 1987.
• If one of these product names appears on plastic vent pipe:  Ultravent, Plex-Vent or Sel-Vent.
• If the plastic vent pipe says "HTPV" or "High-Temperature Plastic Vent Pipe."

If you suspect that your plastic pipe venting system may need to be inspected or replaced, contact a licensed heating contractor.

Additional information regarding hazards associated with these systems is available by contacting the contractor who installed your system or the following manufacturer's help lines:

Ultravent - (800) 758-3688

Plex-Vent- (800) 758-3688

Sel-Vent - (800) 848-2149

 

Keep Obstructions Away from Venting Systems

 

High efficiency furnaces, water heaters and other energy-saving appliances may have exhaust vents that exit your building through an exterior wall rather than through a chimney.  These vents can become blocked in the winter months by snow and ice, which can affect the safe operation of the appliance.  Therefore, please ensure that all snow, ice and other obstructions are removed from your venting systems. 

 

Keep Your Meter Accessible

New England Gas Company needs to access your meter year-round. We would appreciate it if you would keep walkways, driveways and the area around your gas meter clear of snow and ice during the winter months. Please keep shrubbery near the meter well trimmed, so we can access it during the milder months as well.

 

Using a Gas Range

Nothing cooks food better than a gas range, but NEVER use your gas range to heat your home or apartment.  This practice creates a serious fire hazard and puts you and your family at risk from dangerous carbon monoxide fumes.  Your range was designed only to heat your food, not your home.

Don't Get In Hot Water

Did you know that every day in America, eight people suffer serious burns from hot water? These accidents can often be prevented. If your water is above 125 degrees, it’s too hot.  Consider lowering your water heater thermostat setting to 120 degrees or less. If your water heater has a “Low-Medium-High” setting, just adjust the dial to “Medium” or lower. You’ll not only prevent injuries from scalding, you’ll save money.

Never Hang Anything on Gas Piping

 

You should never hang clothing (or, anything else) from gas pipes, because the added weight of clothing (especially wet clothing being hung to air dry) can weaken or break joints or fittings, resulting in a gas leak.

 

Properly Store Flammable Products

Many containers are designed and approved to safely store gasoline, some cleaning solvents, paints, thinners, mineral oils and other flammable products. But what if a container is accidentally tipped over and spills its flammable contents? The vapors can explode if they are ignited by electrical sparks, static electricity, burning flames or friction. Many people, especially children, are injured by the careless storage and use of these products. Keep flammable materials away from any natural gas or electrical appliance that could be a source of ignition. Check your storage area to be sure the flammable products are stored properly, and that caps or lids are securely fastened.