SEAGD has an excellent public safety record, and the safety of our customers, residents in the communities we serve and our employees is a priority.

Despite SEAGD's best efforts, natural gas leaks do sometimes occur. The best way to detect a leak or spill in your surroundings is to use your senses to smell, see and hear. Natural gas comes from the ground. It is odorless and tasteless. An odorant called Mercaptan is added to natural gas to assist you in detecting a possible natural gas leak. The smell (like rotten eggs) is distinctive, and could be a sign of a natural gas leak. Observe your surroundings and if you see a vapor cloud, dust blowing from the ground, persistent bubbles in standing water or dead or discolored vegetation, this could also be a sign of a natural gas leak. You could also hear hissing, whistling or roaring sounds as a possible indication of a natural gas leak.

If you think you smell gas inside your home or another structure, leave the building immediately. Do not turn any lights or other appliances on or off. Go to a safe location and contact SEAGD immediately at 800-660-8683 to report the possible leak. Do not re-enter the building until SEAGD representatives have completed an inspection of the premises and confirmed that the area is safe for return. Avoid all potential ignition sources until you have confirmation that the area is free of any natural gas leaks.

Some potential ignition sources are as follows: static electricity; light switches; doorbells; telephones; cell phones and pagers; pilot lights; appliances; motors and catalytic converters. This is not an exhaustive list of ignition sources, but those listed are the most common items that can cause the greatest potential for damage.

If you think you have identified a natural gas leak outside your home, call SEAGD immediately at 800-660-8683 to report the possible leak. Leave the area in suspect to place the call and avoid all potential ignition sources. In the event of a damaged natural gas line, contact SEAGD immediately at 800-660-8683 to report the incident. If there is a threat to human life or health, contact 911. Do not bury the damaged line or further disturb it in any way. In addition to contacting SEAGD and emergency responders, it is important that the incident area is clearly marked, and that everyone stay in safe distance from the site.

Natural gas is lighter than air, so it rises. It is a clean-burning fuel when the gas-to-air mixtures are correct. Many people associate natural gas with carbon monoxide and carbon monoxide poisoning. However, carbon monoxide only forms when incomplete combustion occurs in any fuel source. For example, when something as seemingly harmless as a piece of paper burns, carbon monoxide is formed. In large quantities, carbon monoxide can be a toxic, deadly gas, which is also odorless and tasteless. If you believe your home may have a build-up of carbon monoxide, leave the structure and contact SEAGD at 800-660-8683 for a free carbon monoxide inspection.

Together, we can work safely and you can dig safely around natural gas lines and other underground utilities. Natural gas pipeline facilities are among the safest in the nation. By doing your part in assisting us by calling before you dig, we can maintain safe operating conditions in the communities we serve.