Aging in place
Using universal design principals, your home can adapt to your changing lifestyle needs.
As with any type of energy, the key to safety is common sense, but there are a few special rules to keep in mind around natural gas appliances:
The right way:
If you have natural gas appliances, when was the last time you thought about the connector that joins the appliance to the gas line?
Older flexible connectors made of uncoated brass can weaken or crack over time, which could lead to a dangerous and deadly gas leak.
Any uncoated brass gas appliance connector should be replaced immediately with a new stainless steel connector.
To industry knowledge, these dangerous connectors have not been made for more than 25 years, but you might still have one in use on an older appliance, including a clothes dryer, water heater, space heater, or stove.
Although not all uncoated brass connectors have this flaw, it is very difficult to tell which ones do. Follow these guidelines to keep your family and home safe:
Using universal design principals, your home can adapt to your changing lifestyle needs.
Portable heaters and generators are convenient, but use them with extreme caution.
The wiring inside most older houses wasn’t designed to handle the electrical needs we have today.
Find out what causes deadly carbon monoxide poisoning - and how to prevent and detect it.
Find out how to test for radon in your home and what to do if you have it.
If you have buried natural gas lines on your property, make sure you know how to locate and maintain them.
Taking a few minutes to check power tools before and after using will keep them in good working order and will keep you safe.
Walking through a wet or flooded basement can be dangerous. To be safe, you should always assume that basement flood water is energized.
Make sure your electrical appliances, tools and outlets are safe, and be careful around electrical equipment outdoors.