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Yankee Gas Press Release
From The Northeast Utilities System
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jeff Tilghman
Office:
(860) 665-3931
Yankee Gas Offers Heating Season Safety Tips
BERLIN, Conn., December 1, 2008 — Cooler weather has been prompting Connecticut residents to turn on their heat. Yankee Gas Services Company reminds consumers that no matter what fuel they heat with — natural gas, heating oil or propane — inefficient or poorly ventilated systems can potentially cause serious problems, including carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Yankee Gas is committed to safety,” said Raymond P. Necci, president and chief operating officer of CL&P and Yankee Gas. “That’s why we like to remind customers of some simple rules to follow when heating their homes.”
Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning
To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, customers should make certain that chimney and vent pipes are opened and unobstructed. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. It is the byproduct of incomplete combustion of any type of fossil fuel, such as heating oil, coal or natural gas.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are “flu-like” and include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and confusion. You should suspect the presence of carbon monoxide if your symptoms improve or disappear when you leave a particular building where you think there might be a buildup of carbon monoxide. If that occurs, here are some life-saving tips:
Open all windows and doors to let in fresh air
Call your fuel supplier or a licensed heating contractor immediately for an emergency inspection
Seek medical attention
What to do if you smell natural gas
Like carbon monoxide, natural gas is also a colorless, odorless gas. For safety reasons, natural gas companies like Yankee Gas add a chemical called mercaptan to give the gas a “rotten eggs” odor. This makes the gas easy to detect in the event of a leak. Leaks can be caused by something as simple as a pilot light going out on a stove or third-party damage to underground gas mains. That’s why it’s important to know what to do in the unlikely event of a leak.
If you detect that “rotten eggs” smell:
Do not strike a match, or switch on-off appliances, lights or even use a flashlight in the area where you smell the "rotten eggs" odor
Leave the premises and call 911 or 800-992-3427 immediately
To learn more about the many safe, reliable uses for natural gas and its excellent safety record, visit www.yankeegas.com.
Yankee Gas Services Company (Yankee Gas) is Connecticut’s largest natural gas distribution company, delivering safe, reliable natural gas service to approximately 205,000 customers in 71 cities and towns. Yankee Gas is expanding Connecticut’s energy options and increasing customer choice by extending the availability of clean, efficient natural gas throughout the state. Yankee Gas is part of the Northeast Utilities System (NYSE: NU). For more information, please visit www.yankeegas.com.
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