Explore your home
Knowing your home is the first step to keeping it safe. Learn more about the safety risks in each area of your home – and how to reduce them.
Exterior
You see the outside of your home every day, but are you aware of the potential hazards? Follow these few simple safety tips for your garage, outside of your home, and backyard.
Smell gas? Stop. Leave. Call.
If you smell a rotten egg or sulfur-like odor, you could have a gas leak. STOP what you're doing, LEAVE the area immediately and CALL 911 and us. We'll send someone to check on the source of the odor at no cost to you, whether there is a leak or not.
Call 811 before you dig
Big or small, call 811 before you dig, your local utilities will mark their lines so you can dig safely. It’s free to homeowners. It’s easy. It’s the law.
See a downed power line? Stay away.
Always consider downed wires as energized and dangerous.
- Stay at least 30 feet from the wire to stay safe
- Call 911
- Remember, electricity can travel through the ground, trees and other objects. Never move these objects or use another object to move a downed wire
Installing, repairing or replacing appliances
If you need to install, repair or replace an appliance, hire a qualified professional to make sure the work is properly done. Never attempt this yourself!
Keep your meter clear
Don’t let leaves and snow build up on or around your natural gas or electric meter. Take time to gently clear the meter of any leaves or snow with a broom.
Avoid trees in wires
Have a professional tree cutting service trim branches that might fall on or are near electric wiring. Always use a wooden or fiberglass ladder, and keep a distance of at least 10 feet away from power lines.
Outdoor outlets
To protect from an electrical shock, make sure all of your outside electrical receptacles are GFCI protected. GFCIs keep you safe while doing outdoor work!
