Take whatever steps necessary to protect the public during a pipeline emergency. The following suggestions are offered only as a guide.
- 1. Secure the area around the leak. This could include:
- Evacuating people from homes, businesses, schools and other locations.
- Erecting a barricade to prevent access to the emergency site.
- 2. Take steps to prevent ignition of a pipeline leak. This could include:
- Rerouting traffic and turning off electricity and residential gas supply by qualified individuals.
- Preventing ignition sources from entering the emergency site.
- 3. Contact your local gas company as soon as possible.
- They will dispatch personnel to help and aid the response to the emergency.
- Their personnel will take the necessary actions, such as opening or closing valves and similar steps to minimize the impact of the situation.
- Do not attempt to operate any valves; this action could escalate the emergency.