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CALIFORNIA NEWS RELEASE BACK December 12, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Cynthia Messina, (702) 365-2044 Southwest Gas Encourages Winter Safety and Natural Gas Meter Shelter Installations Protect natural gas meters and outdoor appliances from snow and ice Big Bear, Calif. — With the arrival of winter, Southwest Gas reminds you of precautions you should take to ensure the safety of you and your family, as well as the safety of your neighbors and the public. "At Southwest Gas, safety is paramount throughout the year," said Andy Hallman, Southwest's superintendent of operations in Big Bear. "During colder weather, heavy snow and ice falling from roofs can damage gas facilities. That's why we remind anyone clearing snow and ice from roofs to take special care and precautions. It's important to prevent accumulations on regulators, meters, and associated piping, because that can cause a gas leak and result in injury or damage." Safety tips to protect against potential snow and ice accumulation and damage: Install a shelter above your natural gas meter to prevent snow and ice accumulation. Contact Southwest Gas at 1-800-654-2765 or at www.swgas.com/safety for information on how to build a shelter or for a contractor referral. Use a broom, instead of a shovel, when and where possible to clear snow and ice from natural gas meters and outdoor appliances, including regulators, associated piping, and propane appliances. Check to make sure snow and ice aren’t falling from the roof onto meters and outdoor appliances and keep them clear when shoveling or plowing. Keep all outside gutters free of leaves and debris, including those above or near the natural gas meter and outdoor appliances. Natural gas appliances require proper exhaust and ventilation. It's important to know the location of your air supply and exhaust ducts, and to keep them free of snow, ice, leaves, or other debris. Keeping vents clear can prevent operational problems for appliances and the accumulation of carbon monoxide in buildings. In California, make sure your residence has functioning carbon monoxide alarms as required by Health and Safety Code §17926. Southwest Gas encourages anyone who suspects the release of natural gas to leave the area immediately, and from a safe place call 911 and the company at 1-800-867-9091. Indicators of a natural gas leak are the smell of rotten eggs, even if it’s slight or momentary, and/or a hissing noise coming from the ground or an above-ground pipeline. If a leak is suspected, avoid doing anything that could create a spark, such as lighting a match or turning an electrical appliance switch off or on. Southwest Gas provides natural gas service to nearly 1.9 million customers in parts of Arizona, California and Nevada. # # # #