• Leave the home or business of the gas leak, as well as areas where the odor of gas is noticeable, immediately. 
• Do not use the phone or a cell phone while in the building. If you notice the leak while talking on the phone, do not hang up.
• Do not turn any lights, appliances or any electrical sources on or off.
• Do not light matches.
• Do not open or close windows.
• Do not start a vehicle if it’s parked in a garage that’s attached to the home/business of the suspected leak nor utilize an automatic garage door opener upon exiting.
  • The activities listed above could trigger an ignition if gas has significantly accumulated.
• Call Vectren at 1-800-227-1376 from somewhere other than the location of the gas leak.

In the event a gas line has been struck or ruptured outside of a home or business, adhere to the following:

• Leave the area of the gas leak, as well as areas where the odor of gas is noticeable, immediately.  
• Do not attempt to re-start or move powered equipment. 
• Call Vectren at 1-800-227-1376 from somewhere other than the location of the gas leak. The party responsible for the damage to the gas line should also call 911 and report the incident to police and/or fire officials.
• Alert neighboring property owners of the potential leak.
• Remain in a safe area until emergency personnel arrive and do not enter the home/business or neighboring premises.

Can a gas leak occur outside my home?
Yes. If you notice a patch of dead grass around the area of your gas service, you may have a leak and you should call Vectren immediately.

Who is responsible for maintaining the gas piping in my home?
The customer is responsible for the maintenance of all gas piping from the gas meter to all gas appliances. Buried gas piping which is not maintained, is subject to potential hazards of corrosion and leakage. For your safety, all buried gas piping should be periodically inspected for leaks. If the buried piping is metallic, it should also be periodically inspected for corrosion. If an unsafe condition is found, the gas piping will need to be promptly repaired. When digging near buried gas piping, the piping must be located in advance and digging should be done by hand. Plumbing and heating contractors can assist in locating, inspecting and repairing customer's buried pipelines.

What is Carbon Monoxide?
Incomplete combustion of a fossil fuel (fuel oil, kerosene, natural gas, propane, wood or coal) can produce a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas called carbon monoxide (CO). If undetected, CO can become dangerous because it interferes with the distribution of oxygen to the body. Learn more about Carbon Monoxide.

Who should I call before I dig?
If you are planning any excavation or construction on or near your property, in Indiana, please call 1-800-382-5544 between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. In Ohio please call 1-800-362-2764 at least two full working days before you dig. The appropriate utility companies will be contacted and asked to send a representative to the property to locate the underground lines.

How can I keep my furnace running safely and efficiently?
Before the cold winter months arrive, it is a good idea to have your furnace serviced by a qualified heating contractor. Make certain the filters are cleaned or replaced, and the furnace belt is checked for wear and proper tension. Pilot lights, switches and thermostats should also be checked to assure safe operation.

Electrical Safety Answers

How can I protect my computers and electronics from power surges?
Momentary power surges caused by lightning strikes can damage almost any electronic device connected to an outlet. You can avoid costly damage by connecting your electronic devices, including computers, printers, stereos, phones and fax machines to a Surge Protector. Surge protectors are available at most electronics and home improvement stores.

How can I prevent data loss on my computer during a sudden power outage?
Sudden power outages can cause you to lose data that has not been saved to your hard-drive. If you work on critical computer files, you should connect your power cord to a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) data loss prevention device that will supply enough uninterrupted power to save your information and shut down properly in the event of power outage. UPS devices are available at most computer stores. Learn more about UPS devices.

How can I prepare for summer thunderstorms?
You can be better prepared for any inconvenience caused by power outages if you follow these simple steps:

• Keep a flashlight with extra batteries readily available. It's a good idea to keep several flashlights in convenient locations around the house. Avoid using candles during a power outage.
• Stay informed of current weather bulletins and other storm-related news with a battery-operated radio.
• Store enough fresh water to last at least 3 days. A gallon or two per person should be enough.
• Keep a well-stocked First Aid kit and emergency medical reference in a central location. If anyone in your home requires special medications or supplies, be sure to keep these in your emergency kit.
• In the event of an extended power-outage, you may want to cook on a camp stove, charcoal or gas grill. Remember that these appliances must be used outdoors to insure proper ventilation. Store matches away from lighter fluid or fuel, and keep the charcoal in a moisture proof container.
• Keep a supply of non-perishable foods and a manual can-opener on hand.
• Consult your owner's manual or ask your HVAC dealer if your type of heating or air conditioning system requires emergency procedures to restart.
• In the event of an outage, do not open your refrigerator or freezer unless absolutely necessary. A fully packed freezer can keep foods frozen for up to two days.
• If it is safe to move around the house, turn off most lights and unplug appliances to help reduce the load when the power returns. When power is restored, turn on your appliances one at a time.

• Call VECTREN immediately
• DO NOT attempt to move the line yourself.
• Keep all family members indoors and confine all pets.
• Do not allow children to play in water anywhere near a power line.
• Do not connect a generator directly to a breaker panel or fuse box. An improperly connected generator can back-feed power into the lines and cause severe injury or death to repair crews working on restoring the lines.

• Set thermostat at an energy efficient setting (within the range of 68 degrees to 72 degrees F).
• 15 percent of household energy use goes to heating water, so using less water, especially less hot water, will keep bills down.
• Use your household appliances efficiently and if you are considering buying a new appliance look for the energy efficiently labels.
• Be sure heating registers and vents are not blocked by draperies or furniture. These vents should also be cleaned regularly with a broom or vacuum.
• Weather-strip or caulk cracks around windows and doorways.
• On sunny days, open your draperies; the sun's rays will warm your house.
• Close fireplace dampers when they are not in use.
• Make sure heating units are clean and in good repair.
• Remove window air conditioners for the winter. If you cannot remove the window unit, cover it tightly with interior and exterior plastic, then weather-strip around the unit.
• Add storm windows and doors to reduce heat loss.
• Add air deflectors to floor registers. Remember that warm air travels up. Deflectors that are properly placed will direct warm air out into the room.

• Volatility of the Natural Gas Commodity -- Natural gas is an unregulated commodity sold daily in the marketplace, therefore it is subject to the pressures of supply and demand.
• Weather Factors -- This winter has been colder than normal and as a result there is an increased demand for natural gas, resulting in increased cost, as well as increased consumption.