DCA Division of Fire Safety Offers Gas Leak Precautions After Stafford Township Natural Gas Explosion

In the wake of the natural gas explosion in Stafford Township, the DCA Division of Fire Safety is reminding all residents to “review recommended safety precautions in the event of any gas leak.”

The explosion, which injured 15, occurred at 10:32 a.m. last Tuesday when New Jersey Natural Gas employees were attempting to repair a two-inch gas main in response to a strong odor of gas in the area of 55 Oak Avenue.

According to the DCA Division of Fire Safety, although natural gas is a colorless and odorless hydrocarbon, gas utilities add a substance which gives it is sulfur-like odor, similar to rotten eggs, to enable you to detect its presence - which can be crucial in case of a leak.

The DCA Division of Fire Safety has offered the following tips:

If you are in your home and smell gas:

• Put out all open flames immediately. Do not attempt to light any appliance such as a gas-fired water heater, stove, or home furnace.
• DO NOT touch electric switches, thermostats, appliance controls or electrical breaker panels.
• DO NOT use an automatic garage door opener.
• DO NOT start your automobile if it is in the garage or in close proximity to the home.
• If the odor is strong leave the premises on foot and dial 911 from a cellphone to report that you smell gas and your location.
• Without putting yourself in jeopardy do what you can to warn neighbors that you have detected a gas odor and have called 911.
• Call your local gas utility’s 24-hour Gas Leak Hotline. New Jersey is served by Elizabethtown Gas, Public Service Electric and Gas, New Jersey Natural Gas and South Jersey Gas. Each publishes a number located on your customer bill to call in the case of an emergency.

The winter heating season calls for other common sense precautions as well:

• Home heating furnaces should be inspected at least once a year by a licensed professional.
• Chimneys and vents should be cleaned and cleared of any creosote by a qualified professional annually.
• Deposit fire place ashes in a sealed metal container away from the home.
• Use only dry, seasoned wood.
• Only use portable heaters with an auto shut-off or tip over switch.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away.
• Plug them into a wall outlet only. NEVER an extension cord
• Smoke and CO Alarms tested and batteries changed at the time change (Sunday, March 8).
• Have and practice a family escape plan that features a minimum of two ways out.

The Division of Fire Safety serves as the central fire service agency in the State and “recognizes the quick action by local first responders that likely resulted in the lack of any civilian fatalities related to the incident in Stafford.”