Piedmont Natural Gas is reminding customers to be alert for natural gas leaks as part of National Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 5 to 11. The company emphasizes that safety awareness can help prevent dangerous situations involving natural gas in homes and businesses.
Brian Weisker, president of Piedmont Natural Gas, said, “Our customers value safety, and we’re committed to continually educating the community about the simple ways to detect natural gas leaks. Natural gas leaks can be managed quickly and safely if you know what to look for, and it starts with training your nose to recognize the odor of mercaptan.”
Natural gas itself has no smell. To help people identify a leak, an odorant called mercaptan is added, which gives the gas a strong scent similar to rotten eggs. This makes it easier for people to notice a possible leak before it becomes hazardous.
Besides its distinct smell, signs of a leak may include bubbling water, blowing dirt or dead plants near pipelines. Sinkholes or exposed pipes could also signal trouble. Sometimes leaks are audible; a hissing sound near a pipeline or meter may indicate escaping gas.
If someone suspects a natural gas leak by smell or other indicators, Piedmont advises immediate action: leave the area at once and call Piedmont at 800.752.7504 or dial 911 from outside the affected area. People should not return until authorities confirm it is safe.
Another precaution is installing a natural gas detector in homes or businesses. These detectors are available at major retailers and home improvement stores and will trigger an alarm if they sense unsafe levels of natural gas indoors. If such an alarm sounds, residents should evacuate immediately and contact emergency services or Piedmont.
Piedmont Natural Gas serves more than 1.2 million customers across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee as a subsidiary of Duke Energy. The company recently ranked highest in customer satisfaction among large utilities in the southern United States according to J.D. Power’s 2024 study.
For further information on detecting leaks and general safety tips, customers can visit the Piedmont Natural Gas website.
