Press Release

Learn to recognize the signs of a natural gas leak

Keep your home and family safe this winter

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – November 3, 2009 – Fall is the peak time for detecting natural gas leaks because homeowners are closing their windows and turning on their furnaces for the first time in months. Natural gas is an environmentally friendly and efficient energy source that many Alliant Energy customers use to cook food and heat their homes. Although natural gas leaks are extremely uncommon, remember to use your eyes, ears and nose to recognize a natural gas leak in order to keep your family safe and protect your home.

While rare, natural gas line leaks can be extremely dangerous. The most telling sign of a natural gas leak is the odor present in the natural gas. Alliant Energy adds a chemical that smells similar to rotten eggs to make even the smallest leak easy to detect.

Customers should take the following precautions if they notice any of these warning signs in or around their home:

  • Everyone should vacate the home immediately, and DO NOT stop to open windows, vents or doors.
  • Avoid touching anything that may create a spark, such as a light switch, telephone, cell phone or a garage door opener. If possible, stay away from carpeted areas to avoid sparks of static electricity.
  • DO NOT try to find the source of the leak yourself. Call Alliant Energy at 1-800-ALLIANT (1-800-255-4268) from a neighbor’s house or outside your house from your cell phone as soon as possible.
  • If natural gas is blowing in your home or outdoors, call 911.

“It’s important for everyone to know the signs of a natural gas leak,” said Vern Gebhart-Vice President, Energy Delivery West for Alliant Energy. “It’s even more important to know how to respond to the leak quickly and safely.”

It’s also important to be able to identify a natural gas leak outside your home. If you hear an unusual hissing or whistling sound, or if you see unexplained dead or dying grass in an otherwise green area, dirt or debris blowing into the air or water bubbling in a puddle, river, pond or creek, it may be a natural gas leak.  Customers should take similar precautions for outside leaks, as well.

For additional natural gas safety tips, visit alliantenergy.com/pipelinesafety or call Alliant Energy at 1-800-ALLIANT.

 

Media Contact: Nancy Craig, (319) 786-4788