June is National Safety Month, and Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania is sharing an important reminder for its customers: when planning and carrying out home improvement projects that involve natural gas equipment and lines, don’t do it yourself (Don’t DIY).
“Please don’t attempt to install new natural gas appliances such as a stove, dryer, or furnace yourself, as this could present a serious safety hazard,” said Dave Austin, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania vice president of gas operations. “Instead, we strongly encourage you to contact a qualified gas professional who can help, as they can safely perform work on natural gas lines and equipment inside your home.”
Here is more information to take into consideration when working with a qualified gas professional on home installations:
- Never install a furnace where someone sleeps.
- Contact a qualified professional if you notice any change with your appliances, such as no heat or overheating from your furnace/boiler, a yellow flame, or the presence of soot around a burner on your gas stove, or your furnace or hot water heater fan often kicking on and off.
- Make sure a qualified professional determines that the equipment is properly vented and adjusted, and that it has an adequate supply of fresh air for safe, efficient combustion.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe operation and care for your equipment.
- If you have flexible appliance connectors, do not reuse them — connectors should be replaced along with your appliance.
