Columbus, OH – As Severe Weather Awareness Week approaches, Columbia Gas of Ohio is reminding customers of the steps they can take to prepare for potential severe weather this spring.
Here’s what you need to know for severe weather:
- Have an emergency plan and practice it with your family.
- Store any flammable liquids, such as gasoline, paint and cleaning products away from any natural gas appliances with a pilot light.
- If your natural gas appliances are impacted by severe weather, do not attempt to place them back in service yourself. Hire a qualified professional to check, repair and/or replace all gas appliances and pipes.
- If you smell the sulfur-like “rotten egg” odor of natural gas or think there may be a gas leak, stop what you are doing, leave the area immediately, then call 911 and Columbia Gas at 1-800-344-4077.
Flooding safety tips:
- In the event of a flood, turn off electrical power to each electrical appliance and leave it off.
- If your natural gas is shut off at the meter, call Columbia Gas of Ohio to turn it back on for you.
- If water levels were high enough to cover the gas meter, call us to check your meter and regulator before using your gas appliances. Floodwaters may have shifted your home or caused other stresses that could result in a natural gas leak.
Other safety tips:
- Keep your meter clear! Don’t let debris build up on or around your natural gas meter. Take time to gently clear the meter with a broom and never hang or place any objects on or around your natural gas meter or piping.
Bill payment assistance
We understand there may be times when it is difficult to pay your bill. To find out more about resources available to help you manage your energy bill and pay down past due balances, call us at 1-800-344-4077 or visit columbiagasohio.com/assistance.
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About Columbia Gas of Ohio
Columbia Gas of Ohio delivers clean, dependable and efficient natural gas to approximately 1.5 million customers across the state. With headquarters in Columbus, it is the largest natural gas utility in Ohio. Columbia Gas of Ohio is one of six regulated utility companies of NiSource (NYSE: NI), one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States. NiSource employees are focused on our mission to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value to our customers, and guided by our vision to be an innovative and trusted energy partner. More information about Columbia Gas of Ohio and NiSource, including its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2040, is available at www.ColumbiaGasOhio.com and www.NiSource.com.
