Natural gas in its natural state, is odorless and colorless. To be easily
detected, Greater Dickson Gas Authority injects an odorant called mercaptan into
the system. This odor is highly concentrated that even the smallest amounts of
natural gas can be detected. Mercaptan gives off a foul smell, reminiscent of
rotten eggs. Any odor of this type within your home may indicate a possible
leak.
If you think you smell a faint odor of either natural or propane gas inside your home or business, we ask you to
take this action:
Investigate immediately to try
and determine location and possible source of leak.
If source of odor cannot be
determined or located, call Greater Dickson Gas Authority immediately (24 hours
a day). A representative from the Authority will come to your location and make
an inspection at no charge to
you.
If a strong or persistent odor
of gas is present in your home or business, or if you hear a hissing sound of
escaping natural gas, follow this
procedure.
Evacuate everyone from the building
immediately.
Open windows and doors wide if
possible to ventilate the building. Start where odor is the strongest. DO
NOT re-enter the building for this purpose.
Don't use the telephone from
inside the building. This includes cellular phones and all types of portable
communication and electronic devices that have a battery. These can spark and
create a source of ignition. Go to the neighbors or a phone away from the
building.
DO NOT light matches or
create any other source of
ignition.
DO NOT operate any electrical
switches, appliance controls, or pull any plugs from
outlets.
Close the cut-off value
(shown in above picture) near the gas meter and DO NOT turn it on again.
A GDGA representative will turn it on back on.
