CHILDERSBURG, Ala. – A fun and informative tradition will continue on Friday, October 4th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., adjacent to Kiwanis Park in Childersburg.
“Natural Gas Public Awareness Day” from the Childersburg Water Sewer Gas Board offers free hotdogs, chips, and drinks, plus gift bags, and the chance to win cash drawings as well. All that is a fun way to bring the community together, but it’s designed to emphasize important, life-saving information.
There will be large cards that share all sorts of important safety tips, and also serves as a survey to test your knowledge, while filling it out qualifies you for cash card drawings that day and a really big drawing at the end of the month. Let’s explore some of those tips.
To spot a natural gas leak, LOOK for bubbling creeks or ponds, blowing dirt, dry spots in moist areas, or dead plants surrounded by green, live plants.
LISTEN for an unusual hissing sound near gas lines or appliances.
SMELL a rotten-egg-like odor. If the smell of gas is strong, or if there’s a fire, CALL 911 immediately! Take action even if there is only a faint odor.
What actions should you take? LEAVE the area immediately. Do NOT try to find or stop the leaks.
DON’T TOUCH anything. Do not smoke, vape, use a cell phone, flashlight, turn on or off any lights or appliances. Those things can create a spark that could escalate existing issues. Once you’re away from the suspected leak area, CALL (256) 378-6063, or After Hours, call (256) 761-1556.
There’s also the matter of knowing how to avoid creating a leak. Since natural gas and so many other utilities are located underground, state law requires you to CALL 811 at least 48-hours before any project that requires digging. Line markers will identify, by service-specific colors, where those utilities are located. See the Color Codes below:
