Gas Off!

We just re-set our clocks for daylight savings. Traditionally this is a good time to check the batteries in our smoke alarms but it’s also a good time to assess our overall emergency preparedness. Whether it’s a house fire, power outage, earthquake or other disaster we are all encouraged to do what it takes to be prepared.

The Seattle area is poised for another major earthquake so it’s a good idea to check your home for obvious hazards. An often overlooked safety hazard is the gas piping to the home. In the event of an earthquake, gas lines can break and leak gas into the home and we all know what that could mean. Did you know there are devices designed to protect the home in case of this event?

See attached earthquake safety advisory dealing with earthquakes.


Earthquake Safety

There are many things you can do to minimize the risks to you, your family and home when there’s an earthquake.

  • Make sure you and those with you are safe.
  • Prepare an emergency kit with at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food, water, first aid kit and other basic items.
  • Keep slippers by the bed in case of broken glass.
  • Consider taking steps to reduce earthquake hazards in your household including foundation and truss strapping.
  • Make sure your water heater is strapped to a wall or post.
  • Consider earthquake insurance.
  • Be familiar with the shut-off valve on your gas appliances.
  • Use flexible pipe connections to connect all gas appliances to the hose line that goes to your meter.

· Stay away from downed power lines. if you see one call 911 or

o PSE at 1-888-225-5773.

o Seattle City Light at 206.684.3000

  • Install a gas shutoff valve at each gas appliance so you can turn it off when necessary.
  • Consider installing an earthquake valve. These valves automatically shut off the gas to the entire house in the event of an earthquake. They are generally installed at the gas meter. They should be installed by a professional plumber.
  • If you smell natural gas, see a broken gas line or hear gas escaping, leave the area immediately and call 911. Then call your utility
    • PSE at 1-888-225-5773.
    • Cascade Natural Gas at  1-888-522-1130

If you turn off your natural gas service, do not attempt to turn it back on yourself. Call your utility. Do not turn off your gas service if you do not smell, see, hear or suspect gas is escaping. Doing so will deprive you of energy you may need to cope with the emergency. There also may be significant delay in your utility getting to your building to turn the gas back on in a post-disaster environment.