National Grid Urges Customers to Clear Ice and Snow from Gas Meters and Appliance Vents

WALTHAM, MA (02/11/2011)(readMedia)-- There may be a lull in the round of storms that plagued the northeast from late December until early February, but dangerous remnants of those storms remain. Many roofs are still laden with ice and snow and the mounds of snow created from plowing, shoveling and snow blowing have shown little sign of melting. This is why National Grid continues to urge everyone to take precautions to avoid the potential hazards these conditions present.

Ice and Snow Build Up Poses Risk to Gas Equipment:

The build up of ice and snow around or over natural gas meters, regulators, pipes and vents for natural gas appliances can pose a serious safety risk. Ice and snow falling from a roof can damage gas meters or service connections to customers' homes or businesses, resulting in potential gas leaks. Home and business owners should see that snow and ice build-up is properly removed to prevent damage to this equipment. Anyone detecting the odor of natural gas should call National Grid. If the odor is present inside your building, leave the premises immediately and call from outside or a neighboring building.

Snow removal equipment operators should also be aware of the presence of natural gas equipment and avoid coming in contact with meters or piling snow around vents mounted on the outside of buildings.

Ice and snow blocking vents have the potential to cause carbon monoxide (CO) to back up into a building, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning to those inside. National Grid advises natural gas customers to closely inspect areas around and over gas meters, service hook-ups and vents, for ice and snow. Whenever possible, use a broom to remove accumulated ice and snow from around natural gas equipment. Customers are also encouraged to test CO detectors in the home to ensure that they are in working order.

Where to Call -- Carbon Monoxide

If you suspect carbon monoxide is present in your home, go outside immediately and breathe deeply; if symptoms are severe, call 911 immediately.

After calling 911, call the following National Grid emergency contact number:

• In Massachusetts: 800-233-5325
• In Rhode Island: 800-870-1664
• In New Hampshire: 800-833-4200
• In New York: 800-892-2345

Where to call – Natural gas incidents or concerns:

• In New England, National Grid customers should report gas-related incidents or concerns by contacting the company's Customer Service Contact Center at 800-233-5325.
• In Upstate New York, National Grid Customers should report gas-related incidents or concerns by contacting the company's Customer Service Contact Center at 800-642-4272.
• In New York City, National Grid customers should report gas-related incidents or concerns by contacting the company's Customer Service Contact Center at 718-643-4050.
• On Long Island National Grid customers should report gas-related incidents or concerns by contacting the company's Customer Service Contact Center at 800-490-0045.

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.

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