LOS ANGELES, April 4, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Hurricane Katrina and its devastating impact on life and property along the Gulf Coast last August serves as a reminder that it's 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 straps. 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 kits
are available at most 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, moving
it from a vertical position to a horizontal position. 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 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 19.8 million consumers through 5.6 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.