• How to Reach Us
• Safety
• Gas Appliances
• Turning Off Your Gas
• Storms and Natural Disasters
• Carbon Monoxide

*HOW TO REACH US*

Customer Service 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Wednesday; 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Thursday; 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  451-2480
Customer Service after hours or weekends 451-1616
Power outage reporting and information 451-1616
Hazardous situation 451-1616 or 911

Safety

OPU is committed to making our system safe and reliable for the good of customers and employees. Please report all Utility Safety Concerns to OPU at (507) 451-1616.

GAS LEAK?
If you smell gas and can't find the source immediately, go to a neighbor's house and call OPU at 451-1616. Our service phone line is answered 24 hours a day. We will dispatch a serviceman to your address to investigate at no charge.

Don't turn electrical switches on or off or use a flashlight or telephone in the home, because an electrical spark could ignite the gas and cause an explosion.

If the gas odor is faint, look for a pilot light that is out. If you see one, turn the appliance off and open the window (top and bottom) to let the gas escape. Wait five minutes before re-lighting the pilot.

In closing, a good rule to keep in mind if you smell gas is "when in doubt, get out."

For other natural gas problems, contact your appliance repair person or plumber. OPU does not service appliances and furnaces.

Gas Appliances

Ranges

• When lighting any match-lit burners or ovens, always light the match before turning on the gas. If the flame goes out, turn off the burner and let the gas disperse before relighting.
• Clean away any grease, oil or debris from the area around burners to help prevent fires.
• Keep baking soda nearby-a cheap and effective way to put out grease fires.
• Move any flammable objects-towels, curtains, calendars-away from range burners and other hot surface.

Ovens

Never use your oven to heat your home. This misuse of your oven puts you at risk of burns from hot surfaces and shortens the life of oven parts and controls.

Water Heaters

• A temperature of 120 degrees F. will help avoid scalds. Some dishwashers require a higher temperature.
• Move all materials that can burn easily (mops, brooms, laundry, newspapers, gasoline, etc.) away from your water heater.

Furnaces and Space Heaters

• Your furnace should be serviced once a year to help maximize its life and performance. Follow the instructions in the owner's manual, or call a heating or plumbing contractor.
• Have your furnace checked for fire hazards such as a damaged firebox and any dislodged, clogged or rusted vents.
• Clean or replace your filter after each month of heavy usage.
• Replace the blower door cover after checking your filter.
• Securely fasten the door that covers the pilot light and burner area.

SECURELY CLOSED DOORS ARE CRITICAL TO SAFE OPERATION.

• Be sure that no burnable materials-paints, solvents, fuels-are stored near your furnace.
• Air-supply vents must be clear of obstructions. Furnaces need a constant supply of fresh air to run efficiently and safely.
• Kerosene heaters or other unvented heaters are not recommended.

Turning Your Gas Off

Gas Meter Knowing the location of your main shutoff valve will help you turn off the gas supply to your entire home quickly, if that's ever needed. In general, you don't need to shut off a gas meter unless there is a strong odor or sound of escaping gas or if there is major damage to the building. If you gas is turned off, there may be a considerable delay before OPU can turn you service on, but don't turn it on yourself. Leave it off until service can be re-established safely by a OPU service person or other qualified professional.

• Know where your main shut-off valve is located.
• Keep a wrench handy to turn off the gas.

Appliance Shutoffs Valve

Most gas appliances have a valve that lets you turn off the gas to that appliance only.

• Know which of your home's appliances run on natural gas.
• Know where their appliance shutoff valves are located. In most cases, turning off the gas at the appliance's shutoff valve will suffice.

Pilot Lights

Many older gas appliances have a small, continuously burning gas flame-the pilot light-that ignites the main burner. Newer models have electric igniters.

• Know which, if any, of your appliances have a pilot light.
• Keep the manufacturer's relighting instructions within easy reach.

Gas Odors

• Keep a flashlight handy to investigate minor gas odors. Check pilot lights to make sure they are lit. Never use matches or candles, and never turn any electric switches on or off if you smell gas.
• Always wait five minutes to let gas disperse before trying to relight your appliance.
• If the smell or sound of escaping gas continues or if you have any doubts, open windows and doors and get everyone out of the building. Call OPU or 911 from the nearest phone away from the gas odor.

Storms and Natural Disasters

Storms and Flood Hazards

Storms and floods can create both gas and electric hazards. In an emergency, be ready to take the following steps.

• If your home is flooded, don't touch appliances while the power is still on. Turn off the electricity at the main circuit box, but first be sure you are not wet or standing in water. If you smell an odor of gas inside your home, call your local OPU office immediately. If the smell is strong or if you are in any doubt, do not call from your home. Get everyone out and call from a neighbor's phone.
• To turn off leaking gas, use the main shut-off valve on the inlet pipe next to your gas meter. With a wrench or other suitable tool, give the valve a quarter turn in either direction so that it is crosswise to the pipe. If you have trouble, call OPU for help.
• Once the gas is shut off at the meter, do not try to turn it back on. Only a qualified person should turn the gas back on. Call OPU to restore service.

Electrical Storm Precautions

The human body is 70 percent water, which makes it an excellent conductor of electricity. Lightning always seeks out the tallest objects in a given area and if that object is you, you could be shocked, burned or electrocuted. If you are outside in an electrical storm:

• Seek shelter. Get inside the nearest house, building or vehicle. If you can't get inside, stay low--sit or lie down. Being wet or uncomfortable is better than being struck by lighting.
• Don't stand under a tree. Trees attract lightning which can cause them to split, fall, explode or shock you if you are touching one.
• If you are on a golf course, drop all metal clubs, get in a golf cart, and seek a safe shelter.
• If you are swimming, get out of the water. If you are in a boat, get to shore . Stay clear of metal masts and rigging.
• Stay away from fences, electrical towers or other metal objects that can conduce electricity.

Downed or Damaged Power Lines

Is it an electric line? Telephone? Cable TV? Don't guess. Assume every downed line is a live electric line. and remember that winds can whip these lines around, making them extremely dangerous. Stay a safe distance away. Do not attempt to free anyone or anything in contact with a power line. Call for emergency help.

• If a live line is touching your vehicle, stay in the vehicle and wait for help to arrive. If the vehicle catches fire or if you must get out, jump clear without touching the ground and the vehicle at the same time. Shuffle away--don't walk or run.
• Stay clear of puddles, fences, trees or any other object in contact with a power line. Remember, metal is not the only conductor of electricity. Stay away from leaning power poles and towers or sagging power lines. Call OPU at 451-2480 immediately.

Stay Calm. Don't Become a Victim

In an emergency, it's easy to panic. Loud noises, roaring wind and flashes of lightning can seem terrifying and threatening. But the real danger may be more subtle--a gas leak, or electricity from a severed power line.

Owatonna Public Utilities wants its customers informed about the most common gas and electric hazards caused by storms and natural disasters, and to show you how to prevent injuries and stay safe.

Everyday Precautions

No one can predict natural disasters, but you can reduce the possibility of damage and injury by observing these safety measures.

• Do not store or use gasoline, paint or other flammable substances in the same area as any gas appliance such as a water heater or other source of flame.
• Know where the shut-off valves of all your appliances are located, as well as the shut-offs for your household gas and electric services.
• Do not locate pools and spas under electric lines.
• If trees or tree branches are too close to electric lines, call OPU at 451-2480.

Carbon Monoxide

What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating. When breathed into the body, CO combines with the blood and prevents it from absorbing oxygen. When this blood, deficient in oxygen, reaches the heart and brain, it can damage those organs and cause illness or death.

How Can I Tell if CO Is Present in My Home?
There are several physical symptoms of CO poisoning. These vary, depending on the amount of CO in the bloodstream; the higher the concentration, the greater the danger. Some signs of CO can include: unusually high indoor humidity with persistent heavy condensation on walls and windows; stuffy or stale indoor air; and soot or water collecting near a burner or vent.

Signs of Exposure

Mild exposure:

• Slight headache
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Flu-like symptoms that disappear when the person breathes fresh air

Medium exposure:

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Severe headache
• Rapid heart rate

Severe exposure:

• Convulsions
• Unconsciousness
• Cardiac/respiratory failure
• Even death

Severity of the physical symptoms will vary depending on age, general health, level of physical activity, and duration and concentration of exposure.

What Is the Treatment for CO Poisoning?
Treat with fresh air or pure oxygen. Severe exposure requires medical attention.

Where Does Carbon Monoxide Come From? Usually carbon monoxide is produced during burning of fuels such as gasoline, coal, wood, charcoal, kerosene, natural gas, propane and heating oil, and almost any other combustible material such as tobacco, fibers and paper. There is even more risk of CO accumulation if your home is tightly sealed and not properly ventilated.

While smoke inhalation from fires is a common cause of CO poisoning, cigarette smoke and vehicle exhaust are the most common sources of CO exposure. If your home has an attached or "tuck-under" garage, air and any pollutants in the air flow from the garage into your home. So, if you leave a car or other combustion engine running inside your garage, or if an air intake duct to your home is located next to a heavily traveled road or near a loading dock, CO can accumulate inside your home.

Any fuel-burning equipment or appliances, including wood stoves, fireplaces, space heaters, barbecue grills, furnaces, water heaters, boilers and ranges, have the potential to produce carbon monoxide.

When natural gas equipment is properly operated and maintained, it usually will not produce carbon monoxide.

Why Does CO Accumulate and Not Escape Through the Chimney?
Usually, CO forms when fuel-burning appliances and equipment are malfunctioning or improperly maintained.

Normally, when adequate combustion air is available and the appliance is properly installed and maintained, all gases and other products of combustion will be harmlessly vented to the outdoors.

Homes that are tightly built or have large exhaust systems, such as kitchen exhaust fans, need to have a system that will provide air to replace the that is pulled out of the home by the exhaust. Without adequate make-up air, air from the outside can be pulled down the furnace or fireplace chimney and cause carbon monoxide to form.

What Do I Do if I Suspect CO in My Home?

1. Open windows to ventilate the area.
2. Shut off your furnace and other fuel-burning appliances.
3. If you're experiencing physical symptoms, get everyone, including pets, out of your house.
4. Call OPU for an emergency inspection: 451-1616.
5. If CO is discovered, don't return to your home until the source has been found and the problem corrected.

If I Smell Gas, Is That the Same as CO?
No. CO has no smell. When you smell gas, you're smelling an odorant OPU adds to natural gas for safety reasons. If you smell natural gas, leave your home immediately and call OPU from another location.

How Do I Prevent CO in My Home?

• Never operate an automobile, lawn mower or any combustion engine, or barbecue grill or similar equipment in an enclosed area such as your home, garage, tent trailer or fish house, even with the door open.
• Never leave a fire smoldering in your fireplace
• Have fuel-burning equipment regularly checked by a qualified technical (most manufacturers recommend annual check-ups)
• Check frequently for visible signs of problems, such as high indoor humidity, or soot or water collecting near a burner or vent
• Equipment that uses natural gas should show a clear blue flame; a yellow or orange flame may indicate a problem and should be checked by a qualified technician
• Provide adequate combustion air for all your appliances
• Make sure your fresh air intake(s) is not blocked or restricted
• Be sure all fuel-burning appliances and equipment are properly vented to the outdoors
• Keep vents and chimneys clear of debris or other blockages
• Don't try to heat a room with your gas range, oven or clothes dryer
• If you have an appliance converted from one type of fuel to another, have the conversion done by a qualified technician
• A CO detection device with an audible alarm and a digital display, installed near bedrooms, can provide added protection

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