LOS ANGELES, April 5, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Indonesia last December serve as reminders that it is never too soon to prepare for natural disasters, including earthquakes.
As the Southland kicks off Earthquake Safety Month, Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) offers these safety tips to help reduce the possibility of injuries and damage to property that may occur during the next temblor:
Before an earthquake:
-- Follow the rules contained in current plumbing codes,
requiring that water heaters be secured to the wall studs to
prevent them from moving or toppling over. The water heater
should be fastened securely to the wall studs in two places --
the upper and lower one-third of the tank -- with heavy bolts
and metal tape. A quake may cause an unsecured water heater
to move, possibly breaking the gas connectors, which may
result in a fire. The loss of a water heater also would
deprive a home of a valuable water source that may be needed
for cooking and drinking.
-- Replace semi-rigid (aluminum or copper) gas appliance
connectors with approved connectors made of corrugated metal.
These are less likely to crack during an earthquake.
Connectors and water heater strapping are available at
hardware and home improvement stores.
-- Have a 12-inch adjustable wrench handy to manually turn off
the gas meter should it be necessary.
After an earthquake:
-- Do not turn off the gas meter after an earthquake unless
there is the smell or sound of gas escaping.
-- If an appliance appears to have a leak, turning off the
valve between the appliance and gas line may stop the leak.
If this does not stop the leak, the gas should be shut off
at the meter.
-- If there is the smell or sound of gas escaping, the gas
should be manually turned off at the meter. Using an
adjustable wrench, make a quarter-turn of the valve, so it
is crosswise to the pipe. This will shut off the flow of
gas. (A diagram and instructions for turning off the gas
meter are printed in the "Survival Guide" section of most
telephone directory white pages and is also available at
www.socalgas.com.)
-- If the gas is shut off at the meter, do not attempt to
turn it back on without the help of The Gas Company or a
licensed plumbing or heating contractor. Interior gas
piping and appliances must be inspected for possible damage
before service can be safely restored.
The Gas Company is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 19.5 million consumers through 5.5 million meters. The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles in most of central and Southern California. The Gas Company strives to provide exceptional customer service to enhance the quality of life in the community. The Gas Company is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company. To learn more, go to www.socalgas.com.