Natural Gas Appliance Safety

To ensure safety and efficiency, have your furnace, water heater and other natural gas appliances inspected by a licensed technician once a year. Also, do not store flammable liquids, paint or other flammable materials near a furnace, stove or water heater. Keep the lint trap on your gas dryer clean and the exhaust hose clear.

Hot Water Safety

Natural gas water heaters are a fast, efficient way to heat the water in your home. But with any water heater, parents should exercise caution when using hot water around small children, especially in the bath tub.

Tips for hot water safety in the bathtub

To avoid scalding hot water in the bathtub and sinks, keep your water heater set at a maximum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in an apartment building, ask your landlord or property manager to check the building's water heater. (It's also a great way to conserve energy.)
Fill the bathtub by first turning on the cold water, then add hot water. When the tub is almost filled, turn off the hot water. Then, turn off the cold water.
Before you place your child in the tub, put your hand all the way in the water. Spread your fingers. Move your hand back and forth throughout the length of the tub to check for hot spots
Always stay with the child. Don't answer the phone or door. If you must leave the bathroom, take your child with you.
Remember, never leave your child alone in the tub or even with other children. It literally can take just a second for small children to turn on the hot water and burn themselves.