Natural Gas Safety

In nature, natural gas is invisible and odorless.  Most major natural gas utility companies add an odorant that smells similar to a skunk or rotten eggs so it can quickly and easily be detected.  If you smell natural gas, play it safe and act quickly by doing the following:

1) Leave your residence immediately and call your local utility provider (if you don't have the number call 9-1-1)
2) Do not use your cellular hone to call a provider inside the house.  Using any type of telephone could ignite leaking natural gas.
3) Do not turn light switches or other electrical switches on or off (see reason for #2)
4) Do not activate your electric garage door opener to leave your house (see reason for #2).
5) Do not try to re-light a pilot light or strike a match.  Get out of the house immediately.

Remember to always be safe and cautious when it comes to natural gas!  For more information about emergency preparedness please visit www.jocoem.org.

Johnson County Recognizes Winter Weather Awareness Day

Johnson County in conjunction with the National Weather Service and Kansas Division of Emergency Management has established that November 17^th is Winter Weather Awareness Day.

According to the National Weather Service, the current long-range winter forecast for Kansas shows an even chance of below-average, average, or above-average temperatures and precipitation. 

“This forecast confirms that you never know what kind of winter weather is going to impact our community”, said Nick Crossley, Director of Johnson County Emergency Management & Homeland Security, “That’s why it is important for local citizens to be personally prepared for whatever may happen.”

This personal preparedness includes the following activities:

·         Winterizing your car by checking snow tires and anti-freeze levels

·         Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle with extra blankets, flashlights, batteries, necessary medications, high-energy food snacks, water, a snow shovel and a safe, alternate heating source such as chemical hand-warmers

·         Avoid letting vehicle gas tanks get below a quarter tank

·         At home, be prepared to be without power for at least three days by assembling a home emergency kit with similar supplies.

Personal preparedness is important to do in advance of any weather event.  Winter Weather Awareness Day is an ideal time to identify needed supplies to minimize the last minute rush to stores when severe weather threatens.

For winter weather information and tips on keeping safe and warm this winter, go to www.jocoem.org.