Safety Tips

Gas Meter Safety….we appreciate your co-operation in taking care of the gas meter

It’s important that AltaGas Utilities personnel have ready access to your meter at all times.

Some Guidelines to ensure the meter is always safe and accessible:

• Don’t tie pets to the meter set. Make sure your pets are not a threat to our staff.
• Don’t tie or lean things on/to the meter set or piping.
• Don’t cover the meter set or piping with additions or decks.

When the snow needs shoveling, it’s probably a good time to take a look at your outdoor gas meter. Overhead icicles and freezing run-off can damage your gas meter and regulator or create a serious fire or carbon monoxide hazard. It’s important to keep your meter and regulator clear and accessible.

If you feel there is a potential problem, please contact AltaGas Utilities at 1-866-222-2067.

Here’s how you can avoid any problems:

• Never shovel snow against the gas meter and regulator.
• Use a broom to gently clear the snow or ice away from the meter and regulator.
• Protect your meter set from overhead icicles. Repair leaking seams on your eavestroughs, downspouts or roof above the gas meter and regulator.Make sure no water drips or runs on the meter
• If you use a shovel to remove ice and snow, do so very carefully.Don’t kick or strike the meter or regulator to remove ice from the equipment.

Safe use of Natural Gas in your home

All natural gas burning appliances are designed to burn cleanly. A well-tuned appliance produces only heat, water vapour and carbon dioxide (not carbon monoxide). If your appliances are installed, maintained and operated properly they should not produce carbon monoxide. You can safeguard yourself and your loved ones by following these simple steps:

• Have a qualified licensed technician or contractor conduct an annual inspection on your appliances, exhaust venting and fresh air vents.
• Don’t take chances when having natural gas equipment installed or repaired. Use only licensed technicians or contractors.
• Keep your natural gas equipment area clean. Never store flammable material on top of or next to your gas appliances. Always make sure there is adequate air circulation around all your appliances.
• Never cover the draft hood, exhaust vent pipe, fresh air vents or chimneys of natural gas equipment.

Pilot Lights

Many older gas appliances have a small, continuously burning gas flame that ignites the main burner. Newer models have electric igniters.

• Know which, if any, of your appliances have a pilot light.
• Keep the manufacturer’s relighting instructions within easy reach.

Appliance Shut-off Valve

Most gas appliances have a valve that lets you turn off the gas to that appliance only. You should know where these valves are.

Gas Meter

Knowing the location of your main shutoff valve will help you turn off the gas supply to your entire home quickly, if that's ever needed. In general, you don't need to shut off a gas meter unless there is a strong odour or sound of escaping gas or if there is major damage to the building. If your gas is turned off, there may be a delay before AltaGas Utilities can turn your service on, but do not turn it on yourself. Leave it off until service can be re-established safely by an AltaGas Utilities service person.

• Know where your main shut-off valve is located.
• Keep a wrench handy to turn off the gas.

We put a telltale, sulphur-like odor in natural gas to make it detectable. If you would like a scratch and sniff card to help you recognize this odor, please contact our Customer Care Centre at 1-866-222-2067 or email customercare@agutl.com.