Explore your home
Knowing your home is the first step to keeping it safe. Learn more about the safety risks in each area of your home – and how to reduce them.
Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the house and the center of activity of a home. Prep your kitchen following these few simple tips to learn how to keep it safe.
Your kitchen appliances need care
Make sure your kitchen appliances are connected and working properly. Keep any flammable materials away.
Be alert for carbon monoxide
Never use a stove or oven as a source of heat. Ovens should only be operated with the door closed. Ensure you have a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your property and in every room where someone sleeps.
Installing, repairing or replacing appliances
If you need to install, repair or replace an appliance, hire a qualified professional to make sure the work is properly done. Never attempt this yourself!
Smell gas? Stop. Leave. Call.
If you smell a rotten egg or sulfur-like odor, you could have a gas leak. STOP what you're doing, LEAVE the area immediately and CALL 911 and us. We'll send someone to check on the source of the odor at no cost to you, whether there is a leak or not.
Check gas appliance venting
Have a qualified professional inspect natural gas appliances for proper venting to avoid carbon monoxide exposure. They can verify things are in good working condition.
Reduce potential risks
To reduce potential risks, give your appliances appropriate space for air circulation to avoid overheating, keep them away from water to prevent shock, and be sure they are unplugged if you are not using them.
Safe use of plugs
Large and heat producing appliances should be plugged directly into individual outlets. Don’t use an extension cord.
Hire a qualified professional
Call a qualified electrician or your landlord if you have:
- Warm or discolored wall outlets
- A burning smell from an appliance
- Flickering lights
- Frequent problems with circuit breakers or blowing fuses
Don't overload
Replace or repair damaged electrical cords to keep your home safe. Do not overload electrical cords or outlets. Have a qualified electrician add more outlets if you need them.
Put safety first
Use GFCI outlets to reduce the risk of potential shock. GFCIs should be installed in all areas where water source is present. Test GFCIs once a month or per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Red Tags, What do they mean?
Red Tags are used to identify and communicate information about an unsafe condition that needs to be corrected as soon as possible. They are placed on natural gas appliances or internal gas piping by our service technicians.