Gas ranges with pilot lights require no additional care. Continue to cook as usual. When the electricity is off, surface top burners with electric ignition can be easily lit. Simply:

Most dryers have a safety valve which automatically shut off the flow of gas. In addition, your gas dryer needs electricity to operate.

A portable grill should either be moved inside or securely tied down outside. A grill with a patio base should either be bolted down or disconnected and brought inside. A grill with a permanent post is usually secure and does not need any additional tie down. The lid of any gas grill remaining outside should be securely tied closed to prevent it from snapping open.

Most water, pool and spa heaters have a safety valve which will automatically shut off the flow of gas if the pilot light goes out.Tankless water heaters need a UPS backup device, connection to a 120V standby generator or a 12V inverter.

Leave the gas on. Turning off the gas could result in unnecessary delays in restoring your service. It is not necessary to turn off the gas at your meter or, if you use propane, at your tank. Should Lake Apopka Natural Gas deem it necessary to turn off the service, Company representatives will inform you. By leaving the gas on, you will be able to cook and, as long as there is a reliable supply of water, you will have hot water. Leaving gas on also helps you avoid reconnection fees.

Clean-up efforts after previous hurricanes show that more gas lines are broken during clean-up than during the actual storm. Before removing fallen trees, call for a FREE utility line location by Dialing 8-1-1.

Do not do anything to cause a spark (i.e., using a garage door opener, portable phone, etc.). Immediately evacuate the premises and call Lake Apopka Natural Gas at 407-656-2734 or 9-1-1. It is important to call from a telephone away from the building where you smell gas. In the case of a gas leak, our first responsibility is to make sure the area is safe. Service will be restored as soon as possible. All District personnel carry identification and will, upon request, show their identification before entering your home.

If Flooding Occurs

If your home or business was flooded and gas appliances were underwater, do not attempt to operate the appliances. Water can cause damage to the internal safety mechanism and create a hazardous condition. Call Lake Apopka Natural Gas or a qualified appliance contractor for a safety inspection and to relight the pilot lights on your appliances.

Check yard for loose items. Move and secure items not firmly installed before the storm arives. This includes grills, patio furniture, swings, pool equipment and supplies, even water hose reels. Items such as these can be blown around by hurricane winds causing unnecessary damage to your home, propane tank or gas meter.

MORE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION!

APPLIANCE SAFETY: Regularly inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining your gas appliances is the best way to ensure safety, reliability and performance. As a customer, you must be sure that all natural gas system equipment will be used safely in your home. This includes piping, appliances, venting, combustion air supply and above-ground or buried piping past your meter. Gas lines beyond the outlet side of the District's meter belong to the customer and it is the customer's responsibility to maintain them against corrosion and leakage. Because underground piping can corrode or leak, it should be checked periodically. Your gas contractor can locate, inspect and repair your buried gas piping for you. Also, you can locate a contractor listed in the Yellow Pages under "Corrosion Control." Play it safe

YOU SMELL A NATURAL GAS ODOR: Natural Gas is lighter than air, not poisonous, and has a very high ignition temperature. For your protection, Lake Apopka Natural Gas has added a distinctive odor similar to rotten eggs, making it possible for you to notice the leak right away. If you do smell a leak:
- Check pilot lights.
- Open doors and windows.
- Get everyone out of the house immediately.
- Do not light a match, candle, lighter, cigarette.
- Do not turn on electric appliances, plug or unplug from outlets, or use portable phones or cell phones inside structure.
- Call the Gas Company at our 24 hour emergency number, 407-656-2734 from a neighbor's house.

CO2 POISONING: Make sure all gas appliances are installed correctly and checked annually for continued safety. Have chimneys cleaned and checked every year for obstruction. Symptoms of CO poisoning include flu-like symptoms, headaches, drowsiness, nausea, ringing sensation in ears, blurred vision, chest pains and dizziness. Prolonged exposure could result in loss of consciousness, convulsions or death. You may help protect yourself by purchasing a CO detector, but do not rely on it for your primary source of defense against CO. You can buy them for the price of a fire alarm at your local builder's supply store. For more details on obtaining one, call Lake Apopka Natural Gas District.

BEFORE YOU LANDSCAPE or add on to your dwelling... Call before you dig. Gas lines are located underground and out of sight. The law requires you call your local line assistance service such as the gas company, telephone, electrical and cable company. By following this simple rule of calling and locating before digging, you avoid costly damage, possible injury and service interruption.