Columbia Gas Shares Winter Safety Tips and Support Options
ZANESVILLE, OH – As winter weather rolls in, it’s time to prepare your home to keep your family safe and warm. Columbia Gas of Ohio has some important reminders to help you stay safe this season.
Space heaters can be helpful during cold weather, but they should always be used with caution. Keep them on hard, flat surfaces, and make sure anything flammable is at least three feet away. Columbia Gas also warns against using stoves or ovens as a heat source in your home.
“Too often, we see people trying to get that extra heat in their homes by using their stove or oven to heat their kitchen or homes. It’s just not safe. Ovens are meant to heat food with the door closed. You see people leaving that oven door open and it’s just another dangerous situation that you can cause,” Columbia Gas of Ohio Communications Director Erica Chronaberry said.
Outdoor safety is just as important. Be sure to clear snow and ice from your intake and exhaust vents to prevent blockages that could lead to carbon monoxide buildup. It’s also recommended to keep outdoor meters clear of ice and snow as well.
“In case there would be an emergency, we need to be able to access that meter. When we pull up, we need to be able to see it. Keeping it clear of the ice and snow is really helpful. I would like to remind people, do not use a shovel or a hammer to try and break away the snow or ice. That can cause damage to your meter and definitely cause more problems than you’d like,” Chronaberry said.
If paying your gas bill is a challenge this winter, Columbia Gas is here to help. They offer flexible payment plans to ensure you stay warm and safe. Visit Columbia Gas of Ohio’s website for more information and assistance or reach out to them by calling 1-800-344-4077.
