Natural Gas & Electrical Safety Videos
Smell a Natural Gas Leak Smell? Get Out!
Important things to do if you smell, see, or hear natural gas.
Speaker 1: Avista natural gas is one of today's safest and most popular fuels. It's essentially nontoxic, but should it escape into a confined area indoors, it can cause asphyxiation. And when combined with a spark, it could ignite. While this is unlikely to happen, you and your family should still be alert for potential gas leaks at home. Natural gas is invisible and odorless, so Avista adds a rotten egg smell to its gas. That way your nose knows right away if there is a problem. If you ever do smell natural gas, quickly get outside. Immediately extinguish candles and cigarettes and don't do anything that could cause a spark like flipping light switches or using a cell phone. Move quickly to a safe, distant location like a neighbor's house. Then call 911. Don't go back inside until we check things out.
Avista: we just want you to be safe.
Call before you dig
Know what's below before you dig.
Speaker 1: When putting in a tree or fence post, we all hate it when our shovel hits a big rock, but there are worse things to come across, one of Avista's natural gas or electrical lines, for instance. Nowadays buried utilities are everywhere, some just below the surface, and one scoop of a shovel or a backhoe can cause an injury or even loss of life. That's why it's the law to call 811 at least two business days before you dig to have your utility lines marked ahead of time. Avista provides this service to its residential customer for free, with the exception of marking private lines downstream from your meter. These locate marks show you a two foot tolerance on each side of the buried line. If you plan to install a mailbox post, a new fence, a sprinkler system, or anything else that requires disturbing the ground, call 811 before you dig.
Avista: we just want you to be safe.
Safety Tips for a Substation
Learn the rules if you are near an energy substation.
Speaker 1: Part of the extensive infrastructure Avista maintains to safely and reliably bring you electricity is our substations. You may even recognize one in your neighborhood. While it's safe to live next to a substation, you should know a few potential hazards to avoid. For instance, never attach a fence on your property to a substation's fence. Even if your fence is made of wood, it could conduct electricity. It's also extremely dangerous to enter a substation, so keep out. Remind kids not to climb the fence or go inside, too. Even if their ball, kite, or other toy goes over the substation fence. If you ever see a substation's entry gates are open and no Avista vehicle is nearby, keep children away and immediately call Avista.
Avista: we just want you to be safe.
Downed power lines
What to do if you see a downed power line, every time.
Speaker 1: It doesn't happen often, but damage from high winds, ice and other issues can bring down an Avista power line. If you ever find a downed line, get far away from it, even if the wire is in contact with someone who has been electrocuted. If you attempt to move the line, you could end up being a victim yourself. Don't let a lack of sparks fool you. The ground around a high voltage line can be very dangerous. Electricity travels through dirt in waves, much like the ripples a rock makes when thrown in a pond. If you stand on separate wave rings, electricity will pass through your body. If a downed wire touches a metal object like a car, fence or guardrail, it too can be dangerously energized. When there's a downed wire, always stay far away. Call 911 and then Avista.
Avista: we just want you to be safe.
Gas generator Safety
Don't make a mistake that could injure you or others when using a portable generator.
Speaker 1: Avista works hard to bring you reliable electricity. Even so, fierce wind and ice storms, vehicle accidents and other events can cause a power outage, because of this, many people own generators for backup power. Gas generators are handy that you need to use them safely. If you use a generator, remember to only run it outdoors. Otherwise, the generators exhaust could emit carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that can be deadly. Also, never wire your generator into your home's electrical system. If you do, it can cause an electrical backfeed into nearby power lines which can injure or kill one of our linemen. If you don't own a generator, also remember, never use an extension cord to bring power from a neighbor's house to your own. Not only is it a big fire hazard, someone could get electrocuted outdoors.
Avista: we just want you to be safe.
Identifying Outdoor Gas Leaks
How to identify natural gas leaks with smell, sight, and sound.
Avista safely delivers natural gas through 7,700 miles of underground pipelines. They are buried along streets and lead up to the natural gas meters on homes and businesses.
Avista continually maintains these pipelines. Even so there still exists a potential for an accidental leak to occur. If a natural gas pipeline is leaking outdoors, you may notice a smell of rotten eggs. You also might hear blowing or hissing sounds or see dust blowing up from a hole in the ground.
If the leak isn't fully exposed, you may notice a patch of dead or discolored grass or vegetation where everything nearby is still green. And in wet or flooded areas, it's possible to see continuous bubbling. If you encounter any of these signs, leave the area immediately, preferably upwind. Get far away to somewhere indoors if possible, and call Avista.
Avista: we just want you to be safe.
Gas meter safety
Take care of your meter to stay safe.
Speaker 1: It's easy to forget about the natural gas meter on the side of your home because out of sight, out of mind. For safety's sake however, Avista could use your help and taking care of it. Keep dirt and debris from collecting under or around your meter to prevent corrosion. Don't place objects on or against the meter, stand on it or tie Fido to it either. Watch out when you park a vehicle or backup a trailer near your meter and never build decks or other structures over top the meter or our gas pipelines. We need to be able to reach the shutoff valve if there's ever an emergency, so keep the meter dials visible by trimming away shrubs and other plants and gently remove ice and snow from the meter each winter. Never use an open flame to do this however. You could get hurt. Your meter also has to be accessible for monthly readings and for Avista to do periodic maintenance. Avista will handle all of the other necessary upkeep of this.
Avista: we just want you to be safe.
Signs of Carbon Monoxide
Know the important signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Speaker 1: As an Avista natural gas customer, you should be aware of the potential danger of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is toxic to humans and animals. It can be produced when natural gas is improperly combusted. That's why it's important to make sure your natural gas furnace, water heater, and other equipment are in good working order and properly vented.
Early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu. Symptoms include dizziness, mental confusion, lethargy and lightheadedness. Later signs and symptoms can be similar to someone who is intoxicated. A victim's skin may turn pink and mucus membranes a bright red. They will be nauseated and may experience buzzing or humming around their head. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately. Also, seek medical attention and call Avista.
To protect your family, Avista recommends installing a carbon monoxide detector similar to smoke detectors. You can find them at most home retail outlets, just make sure to follow the manufacturer's placement instructions. The sense of security provided by a carbon monoxide detector is worth every penny.
Avista: we just want you to be safe.
Overhead power lines
Check your surroundings before doing any overhead work.
Speaker 1: It's easy to forget, but Avista power lines often stretch overhead, so when you're working or playing, look up and live. You could get electrocuted just by carrying a ladder, or working on your roof. You don't even have to touch a power line, electricity can arc across. Pruning or trimming trees near power lines isn't safe either. Believe it or not, wood can conduct electricity, which is why you should teach your kids not to climb trees near power lines. Remind them not to fly kites or model airplanes nearby too, and watch out for big squirt guns. If a powerful stream reaches a line above, water conducts electricity. Speaking of toys, adults should watch out for theirs too. Leave plenty of clearance for campers, sailboat mast, and fishing down riggers.
Avista: we just want you to be safe.
Power line vehicle escape
What to do if a power line lands on your car.
Speaker 1: Accidents happen. But do you know what to do if you crash into one of Avista's electric poles and a power line falls on your vehicle? To begin with, do not get out of your vehicle. Even if you don't see sparks, the line is still very likely to be energized. Touching the vehicle and ground at the same time can electrocute you. Stay inside your vehicle and wait for help to arrive. If you have a cell phone with you, call 911. The only time you should ever exit the vehicle, is if your life is in danger from smoke or fire.
That's because electricity travels through dirt in waves, much like the ripples a rock makes when thrown in a pond. If your feet stand on separate waves, electricity will pass through your body. If you must escape, open the door wide and get into a position to jump. Jump as far as you can without falling and make sure you land with your feet together for a single point of contact. Quickly hop or shuffle a far, safe distance away without separating your feet. Don't return to the vehicle until Avista says it's okay.
Avista: we just want you to be safe.
Outdoor power tools
It's not as easy as just plugging it in. Be aware of hidden dangers.
Speaker 1: Electricity makes life easier, especially when it comes to power tools. But it's good not to get too comfortable and forget about their safe use because it only takes a tiny amount of current to kill. If you're doing a project outdoors, only use tools intended for outdoor use. Most new power tools have three prong plugs that are grounded for added protection. Some have polarized plugs with only two prongs, but one prong is wider than the other to keep you from plugging your tool into an extension cord the wrong way.
Don't use older tools where the plug has two prongs that are the same size. If you plug it in backwards, your tool's metal case can become energized. This puts you at risk of being electrocuted, especially when you're standing in wet areas or up on an aluminum ladder. Even if your tool is meant for outdoor use, always plug it into a GFCI outlet. If any electricity flows through you, the GFCI will trip the breaker before you get hurt. That millisecond could save your life. Be smart when using electric tools outdoors.
Avista: we just want you to be safe.
Major disasters
Be prepared and stay safe if a natural disaster hits.
Speaker 1: Avista's electric grid and natural gas pipelines are very reliable means of transporting energy to our community, but nothing is invincible during a major natural disaster. Earthquakes, extensive fires, wind and ice storms, flooding and other unforeseen events can all cause large scale damage to our electric and gas lines. Avista has an emergency response plan for major emergencies like these, the primary goal of which is to protect life first, then property. If a disaster occurs, however, there are things you can do to keep safe. Report to Avista any hazards near your home such as downed power lines and poles and exposed underground electric and natural gas lines, get far away from damage lines and call Avista from a safe location.
If your residence sustains major damage and you smell or hear a natural gas leak, shut off your home's natural gas service. Locate the shutoff valve on the pipe near the gas meter and using a large wrench give the valve a quarter-turn in either direction. When the valve runs cross-ways to the pipe, the line is closed. However, never shut off your gas meter unless it's during a major emergency that damages are home. And if you shut off your gas, don't turn it back on. Only Avista should do it.
During major emergencies, there may be delays in restoring service. You can obtain real-time outage and restoration reports on the Avista website or by using our free mobile app. It's smart to be prepared for natural disasters ahead of time. We suggest keeping emergency supplies on-hand, including flashlights with fresh batteries, a portable battery powered radio, a windup or battery powered clock, water and nonperishable food, and a manual can opener. As a precaution to minimize property damage, you may want to secure your natural gas water heater to a wall so it won't fall over, and store flammable materials away from natural gas appliances. Knowing what to do and what not to do in a major emergency could save you and your family. So be prepared to do your part.
Avista: we just want you to be safe.