Image of a stormy sky with dark clouds, and a safety sign indicating there is Stormy Weather Ahead

Winter Safety Tips

To help keep your home and family safe during winter weather follow these safety tips:

  • Never use an oven or a gas stovetop to heat your home.
  • Minimize the risk of frozen pipes. Leave faucets running at a trickle, leave cabinet doors open, and close all doors and windows to keep heat inside.
  • Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are in working condition. Learn more here.
  • Snow and ice buildup can damage gas meters and pipes and make them difficult to reach in an emergency.
  • Carefully remove snow and ice from meters and pipes by gently using a broom or brush.
  • Do not use ice-melting chemicals, salt, shovels, or sharp-edged tools. Never kick or chip snow and ice away with a hard object.
  • Make sure that external vents for dryers and other natural gas equipment are clear. Blocked vents for dryers and other gas appliances can lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide gas. If you have questions about proper venting, contact a licensed plumber or qualified contractor.
  • Make sure the meter is visible to snowplow drivers if it is near a street or sidewalk.
  • Make sure snow and ice from your roof does not land on or bury your gas meter.  
  • Repair leaky gutters and make sure water does not drip onto the meter and freeze.
  • If you think you smell gas, act fast! Leave the area immediately and from a safe distance call 911 and the Atmos Energy emergency number at 866.322.8667.
  • For more home safety information, click here.

Severe Weather Safety Tips

To help keep your home and family safe, follow these severe weather safety tips:

  • If flooding occurs and gas appliances are underwater, do not try to operate the appliances. Instead, contact Atmos Energy or a qualified service professional to conduct a safety inspection.

  • During a natural disaster or severe weather event DO NOT turn off natural gas at the meter, even if evacuations are issued.

  • If you think you smell gas, immediately leave the affected area, and from a safe distance call 911 or Atmos Energy’s 24-hour emergency response line at 866.322.8667.

  • NEVER try to find the source of a gas leak.

  • DO NOT use a mobile phone or anything that might cause a spark, such as a generator.

  • If a natural gas meter is damaged or a gas line is exposed, immediately leave the area and call the Atmos Energy 24-hour emergency response line at 866.322.8667.

  • Know where your natural gas meter is located. Make sure it’s visible and free of trash and debris. Mechanical equipment used to clean up after a storm may damage the meter if it is hidden.

  • Natural gas distribution pipelines are mostly underground but can be damaged by uprooted trees and shifted foundations. After a storm, call 811 to have the location of underground utility lines marked, as gas service lines could become tangled.

  • Atmos Energy customers experiencing a natural gas outage or service interruption should contact the company's customer service number at 888.286.6700. Service will be restored as quickly as possible once the area is deemed safe.

  • When natural gas service is ready to be restored, click here to learn what to expect.  

Call 811 Before You Clear Trash or Debris

After a storm, call 811 before clearing trash or debris to have the location of underground utility lines marked, as natural gas pipelines could become tangled and/or damaged by uprooted trees and shifted foundations.

Use all of your senses to detect a natural gas leak

  • SMELL the distinctive “rotten egg” or skunk-like odor that makes natural gas detectable.   
  • LOOK  for blowing dust, bubbling water, or dead vegetation near a gas line.
  • LISTEN for a hissing or whistling sound near a gas appliance or a roaring sound near a pipeline.

Smell gas? Act fast! If you suspect a leak, call 911 and Atmos Energy from a safe distance at our toll-free emergency number 866.322.8667. Atmos Energy will send a trained technician immediately to investigate at no cost. Do not assume someone else will report the leak.

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