Outdoor Living with Natural Gas

By Dan McVey, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer – Gas Operations

Summer is the time when families head outdoors. Your patio or deck is a great place to create barbecue meals and spend time with friends and family. Natural gas appliances and equipment are nice additions to any outdoor space. They can supply efficient and reliable cooking, lighting and space heating.

Here are a few options for outdoor living with natural gas.

• Fire pits - A built-in fire pit provides the warmth and beauty of a campfire and all of the safety and convenience of natural gas.

• Gas grills - A natural gas grill is a safe and economical choice for outdoor barbecuing. No need to mess with dirty charcoal or refill tanks. Gas grills make cooking outdoors convenient and fun.

• Patio heater - Patio heaters offer warmth, extend the life of outdoor rooms and add indoor comfort to outdoor spaces. Units can be wall-mounted or suspended.

• Gas lights - The warm yellow glow of gas lighting can add extra ambiance and security to your outdoor living space. Gas tiki torches are also a decorative lighting option.

Gas convenience outlets

Convenience outlets are gas plugs that allow you to quickly and safely connect and disconnect natural gas equipment. They provide flexibility in designing your outdoor space and using natural gas appliances.

Natural Gas Safety Tips

Safe, reliable and clean-burning, natural gas is good for the environment and will enhance your outdoor experience all summer long.

Though rare, natural gas line leaks can be dangerous. The most telling sign of a gas leak is a rotten egg smell. This unpleasant odor comes from a harmless chemical, mercaptan, which is added to natural gas to make detection easier.

Warning signs of a natural gas leak:

• A rotten egg smell.

• A hissing sound.

• Dirt spraying into the air.

• Continual bubbling in a pond or creek.

• Plants that seem to be dead or dying for no reason.

If you suspect a natural gas leak:

• Warn others and leave the area immediately.

• Do not use electricity, cell phones, flashlights, or fire, as a spark could ignite the gas.

• Leave the area immediately. Call 911. Then call us at 1-800-255-6815.

• Stay away from the area until safety officials say it is safe to return.

Plan for safe digging

Always contact OHIO811 before starting any digging projects. Ohio law requires anyone digging to contact OHIO811 at least 48 hours (excluding weekends and legal holidays) prior to beginning their work. Hitting an underground utility line can cause damage to the environment and/or serious personal injuries. Failure to contact OHIO811 could also result in fines and penalties.