As part of National Fire Prevention Week, Piedmont Natural Gas is emphasizing the importance of recognizing and responding to natural gas leaks. The company reminds customers that an odorant called mercaptan is added to natural gas, giving it a smell similar to rotten eggs so that leaks can be easily detected.
Brian Weisker, president of Piedmont Natural Gas, stated: “Our customers value safety, and we’re committed to continually educating the community about the simple ways to detect natural gas leaks. 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.”
In addition to its distinctive smell, signs of a natural gas leak may include bubbling water, blowing dirt, dead plants, sinkholes, exposed pipes, or a hissing sound near a gas line or meter.
Piedmont advises that if anyone detects the smell of natural gas, they should leave the area immediately and call Piedmont at 800.752.7504 or dial 911 from a safe location away from the suspected leak. Individuals are urged not to return until authorities confirm it is safe.
The company also recommends installing a natural gas detector as an extra precaution. These detectors are available at major retailers and home improvement stores and will sound an alarm if dangerous levels of natural gas are present. If such an alarm goes off, residents should stop what they are doing, move away from the area as quickly as possible, and contact emergency services or Piedmont.
Piedmont Natural Gas serves over 1.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The company recently received top ranking for customer satisfaction with residential service in the South among large utilities in J.D. Power’s 2024 study.
For more information on safety measures related to natural gas use, visit the Piedmont Natural Gas website.
