Your Safety Matters

Because Nothing’s More Important Than Peace of Mind. At Southeast Gas, safety is at the heart of everything we do. We take pride in maintaining a dependable natural gas system, and we work around the clock to ensure it’s operating safely in your community.

But safety doesn’t stop with us—it starts with being informed.

We encourage all customers to stay aware and take simple precautions when using natural gas at home. Whether you’re a new customer or have used gas for years, understanding how to use it safely is essential.

From recognizing the smell of gas to knowing what to do in an emergency, we’ve got the information you need to stay safe and confident.

Close-up of a blue shovel stuck in the grass with work gloves resting on top, next to a newly planted tree on a sunny day.

$37 Billion Per Year

America’s natural gas utilities spend more than $37 billion annually to help enhance the safety of natural gas delivery systems.
—AGA.org

Identifying a Possible Gas Leak 

If you suspect a natural gas leak, leave the area immediately.

Once you are in a safe location, call 911, then call Southeast Gas at 800-660-8683. 

Do not: 

  • Light matches, lighters, or smoke
  • Burn candles to mask the odor
  • Turn electrical switches on or off, including lights, thermostats, or appliance controls
  • Start or stop engines or use automated garage doors

Even if your home or business does not use natural gas, leave the area and call for help if you suspect a leak. Natural gas is odorless in its original form. Southeast Gas adds mercaptan to give gas the distinct rotten egg or sulfur-like smell, making it easier to detect. 

Signs of a possible gas leak include:

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  • Standing water that is continuously bubbling
  • Seeing dirt or water blowing into the air
  • Unexplained dead or dying plants or grass
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  • Smelling a rotten egg or sulfur-like odor
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  • Hearing a hissing or roaring sound near pipes, appliances, or the ground

Call 811 Before You Dig

At Southeast Gas, safety for our customers, employees, and everyone in our service area is our top priority. We are committed to providing safe working environments and keeping the public informed about natural gas safety.

We equip our employees with up-to-date safety training to help prevent workplace accidents. In partnership with Alabama One Call, Southeast Gas also provides annual safety information to contractors, city personnel, emergency responders, and elected officials on how to work safely around natural gas pipelines.

It is essential to notify all utilities before beginning any construction or digging project. Understanding how to prevent damage and knowing the proper steps to report an incident are critical if a Southeast Gas line is ever struck.

Public awareness matters. Natural gas pipelines run throughout every county in Alabama, including hundreds of miles beneath the Southeast Gas service area. While pipelines are the safest method of transporting natural gas, accidents can occur.

Help prevent them—always call 811 before you dig.

Carbon Monoxide Facts

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can be dangerous if it builds up indoors. Common sources of CO include cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust, and the burning of everyday fuels like gasoline, wood, charcoal, kerosene, propane, heating oil, and even natural gas.

Because almost any combustible material can produce CO, it’s important to keep your home well-ventilated and have your fuel-burning appliances inspected regularly. This includes furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, space heaters, grills, and ranges.

When natural gas appliances are properly installed and maintained, they typically do not produce carbon monoxide. Keeping equipment in good condition is key to safe, efficient operation.

Easy Ways to Prevent CO Build-Up

  • Never operate a lawn mower, grill, or vehicle inside enclosed spaces like garages, homes, businesses, tents, or trailers—even with doors open.
  • Do not leave a fire smoldering in your fireplace.
  • Have fuel-burning appliances checked annually by a qualified technician. Southeast Gas offers annual service check-ups for a low fee.
  • Look for warning signs such as high indoor humidity, soot buildup near burners or vents, or unusual appliance behavior.
  • Check appliance flames. A steady blue flame is normal; yellow or orange flames may signal a problem. If you notice this, have a Southeast Gas technician inspect the equipment.
  • Ensure proper venting for all fuel-burning appliances.
  • Schedule a pre-season inspection of your central heating unit to confirm the heat exchanger is intact and the burner area is clean and safe.

How do I know if CO is present?

Signs of CO inside a building may include unusually high indoor humidity, stale or stuffy air, water or soot buildup near vents or burners, and heavy condensation on windows or walls.

Physical symptoms of CO exposure depend on how much CO enters the bloodstream. Higher concentrations mean greater risk. Symptoms can vary based on age, overall health, activity level, and how long someone is exposed.

Symptoms of Mild CO Exposure

  • Slight Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred Vision
  • Flu-like symptoms that disappear when fresh air is breathed

Symptoms of Medium Exposure

  • Drowsiness
  • Confusion
  • Severe headache
  • Rapid heart rate

Symptoms of Severe Exposure

  • Cardiac/respiratory arrest
  • Convulsions
  • Unconsciousness

Scald Prevention

Scalds are burns caused by hot liquids or steam, and they can happen quickly, especially around household appliances. Homeowners should take simple, proactive steps to help prevent scalding injuries in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry area.

Start by regularly inspecting your water heater, or have a qualified professional check it for safe operation. In addition to your water heater, boiling pots, steam from cooking, and hot appliances can also pose a scalding risk—especially for children or older adults. To reduce the risk of injury and save energy, set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If a scalding accident occurs, seek medical attention right away.

Excess Flow Valves

As a customer of Southeast Gas, you may request an installation of an Excess Flow Valve (EFV) on the natural gas service line to your property. An EFV is designed to discontinue the flow of natural gas automatically if a service line is damaged (for example, by an excavation accident), and may reduce the risk of a natural gas fire, explosion, personal injury and/or property damage. An EFV does not protect against a slow leak.

If you would like an Excess Flow Valve (EFV) installed on your natural gas service line, contact Southeast Gas at 800-660-8683 to schedule a convenient installation date. The average cost for customers is about $600, but the actual price may vary depending on how difficult the installation is at your property.

We will provide the exact cost upon request before scheduling installation. EFV’s may not be compatible with all service lines due to high gas flow, low pressure, or other technical difficulties. For more information about EFVs or to request installation, please call 800-660-8683 or request a contractor.

Gas Piping Safety

If your home or business was built after 1990, or if natural gas outlets were added since then, it may contain corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST). If lightning strikes a structure containing CSST that is not bonded properly, it can travel along the structure’s natural gas piping system and could cause a leak or even a fire.

If you’re not sure whether CSST is present, Southeast Gas can inspect your home or building. If we find it, our technicians will check the bonding and make any necessary adjustments to help keep you safe.

Storm Safety

Before the Storm

Southeast Gas advises customers not to turn off their natural gas at the meter, even during a potential storm. Most natural gas appliances, such as tank-style water heaters, cooktops, space heaters, and grills, will continue to operate normally unless natural gas service is interrupted.

If electricity is lost, appliances with electronic ignition, including cooktops, space heaters, and grills, will need to be lit manually. Be sure to keep matches or a lighter nearby just in case.

Only turn off gas at the appliance if you are leaving your home and expect significant storm damage. You may still need these appliances if power is out, but natural gas service is still available.

During the Storm

Take shelter in your home’s safe space and remain calm. DO NOT try to drive or assess the damage until the storm has passed.

After the Storm

Be alert for potential natural gas hazards as you return to your home or business following a storm.

To help you detect a natural gas leak, we add an odorant to give it the distinct smell of rotten eggs.

If you smell natural gas inside your home or workplace:

  • Leave immediately on foot, taking anyone else in the structure with you.
  • Do not drive your vehicle as it creates a spark when started.
  • Do not use electric switches, telephones (including your cell phone), or anything else that could cause a spark.
  • Go to a safe location and call us at (800) 660-8683. This line is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Never assume that someone else has already reported a natural gas leak. Southeast Gas checks suspected natural gas leaks at no cost to you, and our first priority is your safety.

Never try to repair a natural gas leak yourself. Our trained staff will arrive at the location quickly should an emergency occur.

If you smell natural gas outside:

  1. Leave immediately on foot in a crosswind direction away from the leak or vapor cloud.
  2. Warn others to stay away from the leak.
  3. Abandon any equipment being used in or near the area.
  4. Maintain a safe distance.

If your home or business is flooded during a storm:

  1. Contact us to request that Southeast Gas personnel inspect your appliances and natural gas piping to ensure that they are in good working condition before reconnecting your service.
  2. Contact us to restore your natural gas service once all debris and excess water have been removed.

Natural Gas Safety Tips

At Southeast Gas, keeping you safe around natural gas is one of our top priorities. Here are some helpful tips to ensure safety and efficiency in your home:

  • Do not attempt major repairs on gas appliances yourself. Contact Southeast Gas for professional assistance when needed.
  • Schedule annual checkups for your gas heating system with a Southeast Gas technician or certified contractor. Click here for a list of contractors in your area.
  • Keep appliances well-maintained for safer, more efficient operation that can help reduce energy costs.
  • Never use ovens, ranges, or outdoor grills to heat your home. These appliances are not designed for indoor heating.
  • Keep the area around gas appliances clear. Do not store anything that could block airflow or cause combustion, such as gasoline, aerosol cans, paint, or newspapers.
  • After changing air filters, make sure the panel door on your HVAC unit is properly closed before turning it back on.
  • Keep bedding, clothing, curtains, and rugs away from space heaters, regardless of the energy source.

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