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Natural Gas Safety

​Delmarva Power serves more than 137,000 homes and businesses in the regulated natural gas market in New Castle County, Delaware. An ongoing commitment to meeting the energy needs of our customers has resulted in a solid history of providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy.

Report a Gas Leak

Call 302-454-0317 (New Castle County, Delaware Only)

Safety Tips

Natural gas is a safe, clean, efficient fuel for home or business use. For more on natural gas safety, please view our brochures found in the Safety section of our Customer Guides page. For more on natural gas safety, please view our brochures found in the Safety section of our Customer Guides page.

 Content Query

  • If You Smell Natural Gas

    Report a Gas Leak and Other Emergencies

    Report a Gas Leak and Other Emergencies: 1-302-454-0317

    Because natural gas is colorless and odorless, a harmless but strong-smelling ingredient called "mercaptan" has been added to draw attention to any leak that might occur. If you smell this strong odor in your home or business, or you have other reason to suspect a natural gas leak, take action right away:

    • Immediately extinguish all open flames, such as candles, cigarettes, kerosene lamps and heaters. 
    • Alert everyone in proximity of the potential danger and evacuate the area. 
    • Do not touch any light switches, do not use the phone, and do not use a flashlight as you leave. Avoid any actions that could cause a spark. 
    • Never try to fix a leaking natural gas pipeline or extinguish a natural gas fire.
    • Do not start or turn off any motorized equipment. Abandon any motorized equipment you may be operating.
    • Do not attempt to find the source of a potential leak or to repair a leak.
    • Move a safe distance away from the area and call your natural gas delivery company, or call 911 to report the location of the natural gas odor. (Our natural gas customers should call 302-454-0317) 
    • Stay away from the area until trained professionals arrive to make it safe.

    ​Remember, if you smell gas, leave your home first, THEN call 1-302-454-0317, this number is available 24/7.

     

  • Carbon Monoxide

    Not to be confused with carbon dioxide – something humans produce every time we exhale – carbon monoxide is a very dangerous and highly toxic odorless gas produced when burning fuel without enough oxygen. Your oil, natural gas, coal or wood heating system can produce carbon monoxide if it isn't adequately vented and working properly.

    Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, dizziness, headaches, weakness and shortness of breath, vision problems, and other flu-like symptoms. If someone begins to experience these symptoms, quickly leave your house and contact 9-1-1 immediately as carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to brain damage, unconsciousness and death.

    To help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, you can:

    • Install a carbon monoxide alarm in your home and regularly check that it's functioning properly.
    • Have heating systems, gas hot water heaters and chimneys checked annually by qualified technicians or contractors.
    • Be sure that chimneys, vents and fuel pipes are free of corrosion and blockages. This is especially important during fall and winter when the buildup of leaves or snow can obstruct outdoor vents.
    • Do not leave vehicles running in an enclosed space.

  • Excess Flow Valves

    An excess flow valve (EFV) is a device that can reduce the risk of a natural gas leak in the event of damage to the outside service line. EFVs are able to automatically reduce unplanned, excessive gas flows in the event of a broken gas line, often the result of excavation damage. 

    However, EFV's can only shut off the excessive gas flow if the damage occurs between the gas main and the customer's regulator/meter installation.  An EFV cannot address gas leaks or issues with internal customer gas piping and/or appliances.  

    As a result of regulations enacted by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Delmarva Power has been installing EFV's on the gas service lines of certain single family residences – either when a new service line is installed or when an existing service line is replaced.  With certain exceptions, customers whose natural gas load does not exceed a certain size have the right to request an EFV installation on their existing natural gas service line. 

    Delmarva Power will install an EFV on eligible existing natural gas service lines, upon request. The customer requesting the EFV installation will be responsible for the actual cost of the work.​​ Please revisit this web site for further updates. 

    For more information about EFVs, or to see if you qualify to have an EFV installed, contact our Gas Delivery New Business team at 302-429-3118.

  • Winter Safety Tips

    Since many people spend more time indoors during winter, we urge customers to use caution. For a safe and warm winter, please:
    • Keep the area around your heater and water heater open, clear and free from stored items (such as boxes, books, flammable liquids, containers, etc.)
    • Keep your chimney and flue clean and clear from debris (such as leaves or mortar) because a blocked chimney or flue on a natural gas furnace can emit deadly carbon monoxide buildup in your home
    • Schedule an annual chimney cleaning by a professional technician
    • Keep natural gas equipment properly ventilated to ensure safe operation
    • Be sure outside vents from direct-vent appliances (such as dryers and heaters) are free from snow, ice and rubble
    • Make sure your gas meter is free from snow and ice by gently clearing snow using a broom or large brush
    • Keep shoveled and plowed snow piles far away from your gas meter and never use a shovel or sharp tool to chip ice away – this can cause damage or break the meter
    • Repair gutters and downspouts that drip water onto your meter
    • If your meter is encased in ice and you experience problems with your gas service, or if you smell gas - please call our gas emergency number 302-454-0317 immediately
    • A qualified contractor should inspect your natural gas appliances and piping each year. Vent inspection is also necessary to ensure that any carbon mo​noxide is vented outside your home or business. These inspections can identify potential problems and ensure the safety of your family and employees.

  • Potential Impacts to Gas Service

    Information to help you to maintain safe gas service and your personal safety.

     

    The information below will help you to maintain safe gas service and your personal safety.

    Actions to take if there is a potential gas leak:

    • Immediately report abnormal gas pressure, a loss of gas service, or water in pipes or gas-fed appliances to Delmarva Power at 1-302-454-0317.
    • If you suspect a gas leak, do not attempt to find the source of the leak or to repair a leak. Leave the area or premises immediately and from a safe place contact Delmarva Power at 1-302-454-0317 to report the leak.
    • Keep water away from gas meters by clearing nearby drains (interior and exterior) and maintaining basement sump pumps in good working condition.
    • If water covers your gas meter, call Delmarva Power to inspect your meter and regulator.
    • Do not attempt to place natural gas appliances back in service if you believe they have come in contact with water or have been damaged. The equipment must be inspected and serviced by a qualified plumbing contractor before we can restore your gas service.
    • Contact Delmarva Power to arrange a gas equipment inspection if flood waters have shifted your home or caused stresses to the gas pipes; both can potentially lead to natural gas leaks.
    • When cleaning up from severe weather, always call 8-1-1 before you dig.

    When addressing natural gas issues in floods and storms, always keep electrical safety in mind:

    • Ensure that the electrical system is shut off before entering a flooded room
    • Do not attempt to shut off your electrical system if you have to stand in water or on a wet floor to do so.
    • Do not enter a room with standing water, particularly if it covers electrical outlets or cords or appliances that are plugged into outlets if you electrical system is not shut off.
    • Do not turn on any lights or appliances affected by a flood before a licensed electrician performs a comprehensive inspection.



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