Dominion East Ohio Alerts Customers To Important Natural Gas Safety Tips

CLEVELAND, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

• Responding to natural gas leaks
• Inspecting natural gas appliances
• Keeping meter accessible and clear of ice and snow

Dominion East Ohio wants to remind customers about some important natural gas safety information that should be shared with all members of the household. If there is an odor of natural gas in or around the premises, leave the premises and immediately call Dominion, toll-free, at 1-877-542-2630. The company provides 24-hour emergency service year-round. Dominion also considers it an emergency if none of a customer's natural gas appliances is working.

When there is a gas odor, Dominion advises customers:

• DO NOT remain in the house or building.
• DO NOT attempt to locate the gas leak.
• DO NOT open windows.
• DO NOT use telephones or cell phones.
• DO NOT turn any electrical switches, appliances or lights on or off, or unplug electrical appliances.
• DO NOT smoke or use lighters, matches or other open flames.

Dominion East Ohio also reminds customers that natural gas appliances need regular inspection and maintenance by a licensed, qualified heating professional. Customers should also consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm on each level of their home as recommended by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Keep Metering Equipment and Vents Clear

Although Dominion owns and maintains the gas meter, it is the customer's responsibility to provide clear access to the meter and associated metering equipment, and to keep it free from obstructions. This includes snow, ice and shrubs.

Snow and ice can damage metering equipment, and it is the customer's responsibility to keep the metering equipment clear. Ice, icicles or water dripping on the meter could prevent safe and efficient operation of the meter and create a potentially hazardous situation. Icicles should be removed from overhead eaves and gutters to prevent dripping water from splashing and freezing on the metering equipment or appliance vents. Snow or ice can also block the side wall vents of gas appliances; customers must keep those clear as well.

Customers should remove any snow or ice from the meter or piping by hand or carefully with a broom. DO NOT use any objects, or strike the metering equipment to remove ice.

Likewise, DO NOT plow or pile snow up against or on the gas metering equipment, as well as any of the company's equipment buildings. In case of an emergency, company personnel must be able to access metering equipment at all times.

Performing Inspections

Dominion makes periodic leak inspections of its main line (piping along the street) and the service line (piping from the street to the meter). If a leak is found in a service line, the company or its contractor will repair or replace the line. Under certain conditions, Dominion will pay the cost for the repair or replacement.

When turning on gas service, company representatives also test the house line (piping after the meter) which is the homeowner's responsibility. If the company finds a leak in the house line or other unsafe condition, Dominion will shut off that section of the line or any defective appliances. If the house line leak cannot be isolated, Dominion will turn off gas service until the customer's contractor can make the necessary repairs.

Customer Rights and Responsibilities

Customers have certain rights and responsibilities based on minimum gas service standards issued by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). For example, the PUCO service standards require customers to permit company personnel to access company equipment on the premise. Also, the law requires that customers must call the Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) two business days before excavating at 1-800-362-2764.

To learn more about customer rights and responsibilities, visit www.dom.com, keyword: Ohio Rights. Or, visit the PUCO's Web site at www.puco.ohio.gov to view the minimum gas service standards.

Dominion East Ohio is a subsidiary of Dominion (NYSE: D), one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of more than 27,500 megawatts of generation. Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage system and serves retail energy customers in 12 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.

SOURCE Dominion East Ohio