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Natural Gas Safety

To burn properly, natural gas mixes with just the right amount of air to be ignited by a spark or a flame. Natural gas that burns without enough air produces a deadly gas – carbon monoxide. Breathing natural gas is harmful because it contains no oxygen. And because natural gas is colorless and odorless, a chemical with a distinct smell is added to alert you of a leak. The added odor smells like rotten eggs. Teach all members of your family the three ways to recognize a natural gas leak, so they will know what to do. LOOK: Blowing dirt, bubbling in creeks or ponds, dry spots in moist areas, or dead plants surround by green live ones could indicate a leak. LISTEN: A hissing sound near gas lines, meters, or appliances could indicate a leak. SMELL: If you smell the rotten egg odor, there could be a leak. LEAVE: Leave the premises immediately. TELL: Be sure to tell authorities – notify 911 or City of Sugar Hill at (770) 271-2137. A faint odor of gas may mean that a pilot light has gone out and should be relighted; however, a strong odor means you should leave the home at once and call your local utility or emergency personnel from a neighbors home. Be Safe. Dig Smart. Call First. Brochure Look, Listen, Smell, Leave, Tell Brochure

Flags have been placed in my yard. What does that mean?

The flags indicate someone has requested the location of underground utilities on or near your property. The request may have been made by the homeowner, a contractor for the homeowner, a utility company, or your local city or county government for upcoming repairs, installations, or maintenance.

Georgia State laws state that anyone planning to use mechanized equipment for excavation, tunneling, grading, boring, blasting, demolition or similar work should contact GA 811. However, for safety’s sake, we recommend you call 811 or visit the website https://www.georgia811.com/  to complete a request for any project in which you plan to break ground.

Underground utilities can be damaged while individuals are installing mailboxes, building fences or decks, or even planting trees. Remember, even if your project is small, it’s always best to call!

When the utility company representatives mark a location, they use colored flags and/or paint to identify the type of underground utility. Here is what the color codes indicate: