Peoples Gas Light and Coke : and North Shore Gas Remind Residents to Stay Safe as Winter Storm Approaches

January 06, 2015 at 03:10 am IST

For Release: 01/05/2015

Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Remind Residents to Stay Safe as Winter Storm Approaches CHICAGO, IL The Chicagoland area is facing a winter weather advisory that includes sub-zero temperatures and significant snow accumulation. With several inches of snow predicted, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas remind residents and businesses that it is important to keep the area around natural gas meters, regulators and piping clear from snow and ice to help ensure the safe and continuous operation of heating equipment. Deep snow and ice buildup around gas meters can lead to meter damage, equipment malfunction and a disruption in service. Simply brushing deep snow away from the meter and regulator with a soft broom is sufficient. Never use a shovel or motorized snow removal equipment near a natural gas meter. Customers with high-efficiency furnaces and water heaters that vent through the wall (not into a chimney) should prevent the buildup of snow or ice outside around the vent. High-efficiency equipment provides great savings, but a blocked vent could cause the heating system to malfunction by shutting off or, in extreme cases, lead to an accumulation of carbon monoxide in the home. Customers should check the outside vents just to make sure they aren't covered with snow or ice and call Peoples Gas at (866) 556-6001 or North Shore Gas at (866) 556-6004 in cases of heavy ice buildups around the vents. The winter season is also the time of year when utilities receive the highest number of carbon monoxide-related calls, often due to faulty heating equipment. Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning can result from improper and/or inefficient burning of natural gas and other fuels that can result from blocked furnace vents and/or insufficient ventilation. CO is an invisible, tasteless, odorless, poisonous gas that cannot be detected by human senses. At high concentrations, carbon monoxide can be fatal within minutes. Customers who experience flu-like symptoms only when at home should leave the home and arrange for a carbon monoxide check from their local emergency agency immediately. Illinois law requires every home or apartment to have a CO alarm within 15 feet of sleeping areas. As a reminder, natural gas meters need to be inspected regularly as a safety precaution. If your meter is located inside your home or building, Peoples Gas or North Shore Gas will contact you to make an appointment when your inspection is due. Failure to allow your meter to be inspected could result in disconnection as a safety precaution, even during the cold winter months. Customers should make sure to respond to any letters requesting access to a meter when contacted. For more tips on safety around natural gas, including tips on CO safety, please visit our website at www.peoplesgasdelivery.com or www.northshoregasdelivery.com. # # #About Peoples Gas Peoples Gas, a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: TEG), is a regulated natural gas delivery company that serves approximately 831,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the city of Chicago. For more information about Peoples Gas, visit the company's website.About North Shore Gas

North Shore Gas, a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: TEG), is a regulated natural gas delivery company that serves approximately 159,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers located in 54 communities within the northern suburbs of Chicago.the company's website.