Electrical and Natural Gas Safety
If you smell gas, have a downed power line or other Natural Gas and/or Electricity emergency.
Call before you dig. Contact your Natural Gas Distributors to ensure your digging won’t cause a problem.
Follow these tips and help make your home safe and comfortable.
Electrical Safety
Home Wiring
Always call a qualified electrician to do any wiring in your home.
Fuses
If a fuse blows, turn off all appliances and lights on the circuit before changing the fuse.
Don’t try to replace a fuse in the dark. Use a flashlight.
Replace a blown fuse with one of the correct rating – never with a higher one.
Periodically check that plug-type fuses are snug. A loose fuse can overheat.
NEVER replace a fuse with a coin or metal object.
Cords and Plugs
When disconnecting an appliance, pull the plug, not the cord.
Keep all cords away from heat and water.
If multiple electrical connections are required use a properly rated power bar.
Do not break off or bypass the third prong of a plug. It’s there because it’s needed for safety reasons.
Always use extension cords that are properly rated for the load.
Never use cords or plugs that show any wear or damage.
Don’t place a cord under a carpet, through a doorway, or anywhere that it could be stepped on.
Never remove a plug when your hands are wet or when touching a metal object.
Appliances
Buy appliances and tools bearing the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) seal.
Unplug the toaster before prying out toast that is wedged in.
Never use electrical tools or appliances near water.
Outdoors
If you use an electric lawnmower, only cut the grass when it’s dry. Do not mow the lawn when it’s raining.
Use ground fault circuit interrupters on all plugs located outdoors.
Keep your radio and appliances away from swimming pools or wet surfaces.
Never prune or cut down a tree near a power line.
Power Tools
Always unplug power tools when they are not in use or when changing an attachment on them.
Never operate power tools near water.
Do not stand on a damp floor or wet grass when operating power tools.
Keep ventilation openings clean to prevent overheating.
When unplugging, detach the cord from the wall socket first, then from the tool.
Extension Cords
Keep your extension cords away from water.
Do not use a two pronged extension cord outdoors.
Always use extension cords that are properly rated for the load.
Never break off or bypass the grounding prong on a three-pronged plug.
Worn cords can cause shocks and fires. Do not use them!
When removing a plug from a socket, pull on the plug and NOT on the cord.
Natural Gas Safety
For the safe, efficient use of Natural Gas in your home, we have prepared these few simple rules.
How to detect Natural Gas
We've added an odour to Natural Gas.
The odour is a harmless chemical (mercaptan) that is purposely added to Natural Gas to tip you off, should a leak ever occur. The chemical has a very unpleasant smell, like that of rotten eggs. Should you ever smell this odour, do not light a match, or switch on lights or use the telephone. Leave the building immediately, and call 911 from the nearest telephone.
Appliances
Follow directions from the manufacturer for using and maintaining Natural Gas appliances.
Keep combustibles such as papers, cleaning fluids, paints, curtains and rags away from furnaces, water heaters, ranges and dryers.
Teach children never to light or play with the controls of any Natural Gas appliances. If possible, have an approved fire extinguisher in your home.
Look for the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) seal when buying a Natural Gas appliance. It certifies that equipment meets strict safety standards.
Keep flues and chimneys clear. Have your fluepipe and chimney checked to make sure they're not blocked with debris such as nests, branches or plants. Your heating contractor can inspect and clean fluepipes for you.
Natural Gas Range
Keep your Natural Gas range clean - make sure burner drip shields are free of used matches, grease and paper.
If you have a range with a pilot light, be sure it's lit.
Never use your Natural Gas range or oven to heat your home or apartment.
Don't leave burners on when not in use.
If the burner doesn't ignite, check to see if the pilot light is lit.
Natural Gas Water Heater
Don't block air vents, valves or controls if you add insulation around the water heater.
Don't cover the top of the heater or the space between the floor and heater.
Natural Gas Heating System / Space Heating
Clean or replace filters in warm-air furnaces periodically.
Keep the area around the furnace/space heater clear of dirt, clutter, flammable materials and obstructions.
A yearly inspection of Natural Gas heating equipment is recommended by manufacturers. A qualified technician should make this inspection.
Suggestions for using and maintaining your Natural Gas appliances
Periodically, you should inspect the burner flames of your Natural Gas appliances. The flame should burn with a clear blue color. If it is blue, chances are your burner is adjusted properly and is doing the job efficiently.
A yellow flame may indicate that your burner isn't operating efficiently. Have a qualified technician perform any needed adjustments.
Don't try to service Natural Gas burners yourself - call a qualified technician who knows how to spot and solve any problems.
