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Cold Weather Safety and Savings Tips

Protect your family with a checklist for safety

With the weather forecast for freezing temperatures over the next few days, GRU advises customers to observe the following precautions for the comfort and safety of their families:

Natural Gas Safety:

• If you smell a strong odor of gas in your home, gather everyone up and go outside to a safe location. Do not operate any electrical switches, and leave the door open on your way out. Call 911.
• Purchase and install a carbon monoxide detector that meets UL standards. If your CO detector sounds an alarm, go outside immediately and call 911.
• Never use a gas oven to heat your house.

Electric Safety:

• If you use a small space heater, check cords to make sure they are not frayed and check heater to make sure it is operating properly.
• Never operate a space heater near curtains or anything else that is flammable.
• Do not overload power strips beyond their ratings.

Electric Generator Safety:

• Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before operating an electric generator.
• Never run an electric generator inside your house or even in an attached garage.
• Connect appliances directly to the generator rather than connecting them to your house’s electric system.

Water Pipe Safety:

• Cover all exposed outside pipes with pipe insulation, thermal tape, cloth, or several layers of newspaper.
• Run a very slow but steady stream of running water.
• Disconnect and drain all hoses from outside faucets.

Cold Weather Energy and Money Saving Tips:

• The most important thing customers can do is set their thermostat at 68 degrees or lower. For each degree higher, your energy bills will increase by four percent.
• Wear warm clothing indoors and throw an extra blanket on the bed to stay comfortable at lower thermostat settings.
• Save up to 25 percent by simply caulking, sealing and weather-stripping around windows, outside doors, or where exterior walls, floors or ceilings are penetrated by plumbing, etc.
• Visit www.gru.com for more energy saving tips.

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