Piedmont Natural Gas reminds customers how to identify a natural gas leak

• As part of National Fire Prevention Week, Piedmont Natural Gas reminds communities if you smell gas, get out fast!
• An odorant called mercaptan is injected into natural gas, giving it a smell like rotten eggs so it is easy to detect.
• Video here : Learn how mercaptan works.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - In recognition of National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 5-11), Piedmont Natural Gas is highlighting the importance of natural gas safety and reminding customers and communities that if you smell natural gas, get out fast!

About National Fire Prevention Week

National Fire Prevention Week is an annual observance that provides information to the public about actions that can help reduce the risk of home fires and promote safety. As part of this campaign, Piedmont is sharing how to recognize a natural gas leak and how to react if one is suspected.

Our view

"Our customers value safety, and we're committed to continually educating the community about the simple ways to detect natural gas leaks," said Brian Weisker, president of Piedmont Natural Gas. "Natural gas leaks can be managed quickly and safely if you know what to look for, and it starts with training your nose to recognize the odor of mercaptan."

Smell rotten eggs? It could be natural gas

Natural gas by itself has no smell. An odorant called mercaptan is injected into natural gas, giving it the distinctive smell of rotten eggs. The odor makes natural gas easy to detect and can alert the public of a natural gas leak to help avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

Look and listen for leaks

In addition to having a distinct smell, natural gas leaks are often visual, causing bubbling water, blowing dirt or dead plants. You may also see sinkholes or exposed pipe. It's also possible to hear a hissing sound near a natural gas line or meter.

Steps to take if you suspect a leak

If a natural gas odor is detected, follow these steps:

• Leave the area immediately.
• Call Piedmont at 800.752.7504 or call 911 from a neighbor's house or somewhere away from the smell of natural gas.
• Do not return to the location of the leak until a Piedmont technician or emergency responder informs you that the area is safe.

Another measure of natural gas safety

Installing a natural gas detector is an additional safety measure to keep residents aware of potential leaks. A natural gas detector, which can be purchased at major retailers and home improvement stores, will sound an alarm if levels of natural gas in the area indicate a leak.

If the alarm is triggered, stop what you are doing, get as far away from the smell as possible, and call 911, or call Piedmont at 800.752.7504.

For additional information about natural gas safety, visit the Piedmont Natural Gas website.

Piedmont Natural Gas

Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, distributes natural gas to more than 1.2 million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Piedmont Natural Gas earned the No. 1 spot in customer satisfaction with residential natural gas service in the South among large utilities, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study. More information: piedmontng.com. Follow Piedmont Natural Gas: X, Facebook.

Piedmont Natural Gas
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