With safety as the number one priority, PGW offers tips on how to safely maintain your gas appliances and educates customers on how to recognize and report gas odors
PHILADELPHIA (November 12, 2026) – In observation of National Natural Gas Safety Week, observed Nov. 9 through 13, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is reminding customers that natural gas safety starts with awareness. From recognizing and reporting natural gas odors to safely maintaining and operating natural gas appliances, these tips help Philadelphia homes and families stay safe.
Regular inspection and maintenance of natural gas appliances are essential to ensuring they operate safely and efficiently. As home heating season quickly approaches, it is recommended to have your natural gas heating appliance checked and adjusted by a licensed professional. PGW offers this service as an add-on option through its Parts and Labor Appliance Protection Plan, which provides expert PGW technicians to fix and maintain covered natural gas appliances. If a customer does not have a PGW Parts and Labor Plan, they must hire a licensed professional to conduct their appliance check because appliances and internal fuel lines belong to the property owner not PGW. Additional appliance safety information can be found online here.
While proper maintenance significantly reduces risks, it is essential for customers to know what to do if they smell an odor. Utility companies like PGW add a safe, non-toxic odorant called mercaptan to natural gas, which has a rotten egg smell that is easily recognizable. PGW urges anyone who smells gas to leave the area immediately and call PGW’s 24/7 emergency hotline at 215-235-1212. If you suspect a gas leak:
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Do not use electrical devices including cell phones or light switches which may cause a spark and ignite the gas
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Do not use an open flame, matches or lighters
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Do not try to locate the source of the gas leak.
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Do not try to shut off any natural gas valves or gas appliances.
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Do not start any vehicles if parked inside of or near a property.
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Do not re-enter the building or return to the area until a PGW employee or a qualified utility representative says it is safe to do so.
Along with following these important safety precautions, PGW maintains its 24/7 emergency response operations and prides itself on responding to odor calls in 60 minutes or less. To help make sure a PGW professional can easily access the meter, please follow these important tips:
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Keep the area surrounding the meter clear of boxes, furniture, shelves, etc.
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Do not build walls or paneling that obstructs access to the meter.
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Do not place or install any heat source or electric equipment within 3 feet from the meter.
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Never hang or lean anything against a meter or its corresponding fuel lines.
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Do not climb on, hang on, or play near, a meter.
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Do not tamper with your meter, or attempt to relocate, service, or make repairs to the meter yourself.
In addition to natural gas safety, PGW reminds residents about the importance of installing and regularly testing carbon monoxide (CO) detectors monthly in their homes and ensuring that batteries are replaced annually. CO is an odorless, tasteless, dangerous gas produced when heating systems are not working correctly and can cause severe sickness and even death. Anyone who suspects CO poisoning should call 911 or seek emergency medical help immediately.
For more natural gas safety information, please visit pgworks.com/safety.