gas appliance Safety Tips

Gas Appliance Safety Tips

All gas appliances have a main burner flame and many also have a pilot flame. To reduce the risk of flammable vapors being ignited by these flames, follow the basic safety tips:

• Water heaters installed in garages must be elevated so the pilot light or other ignition source is a minimum of 18 inches above the floor in order to reduce the potential for fire or explosion due to spillage or leakage of combustible liquids in the garage.
• Never store or use flammable products such as gasoline, paint thinner, or cleaning products in the same room or near any gas appliance. This is especially true in the garage.
• Lower water heater temperature to prevent scalding accidents. Water temperatures above 125 degrees can cause severe burns.
• Avoid dirt build-up around a garage furnace by vacuuming or sweeping around it regularly. Don’t place rugs, furniture, or any combustible items over the grill or block the airflow.

Call Before You Dig!

If you are planning demolition or excavation work of any kind, please call Tennessee One-Call at least three days before you begin. By calling, you will avoid interruption of service, save yourself costly delays, and prevent unnecessary accidents or injuries. Tennessee One-Call System, Inc. is a statewide notification system that marks underground members utility free of charge.

Residents, contractors, and anyone planning to dig, drill, or blast in Tennessee call 1-800-351-1111 for Toll Free 24-hour Service