COLUMBUS, Ohio — As temperatures continue to decline and more residents are reliant upon natural gas to keep them warm, Columbia Gas of Ohio is offering residents tips to remain safe this winter season.

Although natural gas is safe and reliable, leaks can sometimes occur for a variety of reasons, Dave Rau, communications manager for Columbia Gas of Ohio, said.

“There are a number of things that can cause leaks,” he said. “The most common, certainly in the summer and in the months we’re busy outside, is a third party damaging the lines. Inside, a pipe in your house could get loose, over time there could be a problem in one of your gas appliances or many other things.”

Natural gas is colorless and odorless in its purest form, but Columbia Gas adds an odorant called mercaptan to give it a distinctive smell to alert homeowners of a possible leak. The odor is similar to that of rotten eggs or sulfur, Rau said. A reminder card with the aroma is sent out to residents to ensure people are familiar with the smell. Rau recommends ensuring children know the smell as well.

Additional signs of a possible leak include blowing dirt, bubbling water, dead vegetation, or a hissing or roaring sound. Rau said these signs will mostly be visible outdoors.

If you ever encounter the smell of natural gas, Columbia Gas recommends doing three things:

– Stop whatever you are doing;

– Leave the area immediately and get to a safe location;

– Call 911 and the gas company at 800-344-4077.

“If you smell natural gas, it’s an emergency and we want you to do those three things,” he said.

The gas company warns against doing anything that could cause a possible spark, such as using the phone, flicking a light switch, turning on an appliance or flashlight. Never start your car or use the garage door either. Rau said to stop whatever you are doing at the time the odor is discovered and leave the area immediately.

Gas crews will respond to the call of a possible gas leak anytime, day or night, to investigate and ensure the situation is safe.

“This is what we do, safety is our top priority. We always want to make sure if you have any concern whatsoever if you’re smelling gas, give us a call. We’re happy to come out 24-7 to check it out and make sure you stay safe,” he said.

There is never a charge for crews to respond to a call involving a potential gas leak. Rau said even potential leaks should never be ignored.

“It’s never a burden for us to come out. We would much rather say, ‘No, you’re not smelling gas,’ than ever have a situation in which you are and you don’t let us know about it,” he said. “Don’t take the chance, just give us a call.”

Rau said there are proactive measures residents can take to prevent gas leaks in and around the home. Those tips include:

– Ensure gas appliances are up-to-date and inspected regularly;

– Never use a gas stove or range top as a space heater;

– Always call 811 before digging.

“We want to make sure that people need to have their gas appliances checked regularly by a qualified person, make sure the appliances are safe and running efficiently. This is something that is well worth the very small cost to make sure that it’s running well, it’s going to provide good service, and it’s safe.

Rau said inspectors routinely check the lines to ensure they are safe and there are no leaks.

Additionally, Columbia Gas of Ohio offers options for those in need of financial assistance for their gas bills this time of year. Rau said anyone in need of assistance with their bill, may visit Columbiagasofohio.com/winterhelp.

There are also local organizations that provide financial assistance with utilities as well, he said.

“There are a lot of places that can help you with your bill, there are a lot of programs that can help. We just want to make sure people know that,” he said.