CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – With hurricane season approaching, energy providers are urging consumers to include natural gas infrastructure in preparation plans.

“It’s important for you to know how to prepare and stormproof your natural gas appliances, gas meter and more, as there are some unique aspects to this process,” said Columbia Natural Gas spokesperson Stephanie Benson to Cville Right Now. “An emergency plan is the baseline for everything especially for the hurricane season, and to have that plan in place, to practice that plan so you can make sure you’re ready to go.”

One of the key things Benson said natural gas customers can do is label gas valves, water valves, and electricity main switches, some of which are indoors and some of which are outside the home.

She said one important measure is also making sure any debris is clear of the outdoor meter both before and after a storm.

“Following a storm, it’s important to ensure that meter is visible and readily accessible to our technicians if they need to come out and do something,” Benson said.

The way to do that, she said, is to use something soft like a broom to move that debris away.

A customer does not want to use anything “heavier duty” that might damage the meter or lines.

It’s also important, not just for storms, to store any flammable liquids such as gasoline, paints, or cleaning products away from any natural gas appliances that have a pilot light.

If any lines or outdoor meters or natural gas appliances are damaged by a storm, Benson urged not to put them back in service until a qualified professional is called in to check, clean, repair, and test all gas appliances and pipes.

“Flood waters may cause things to shift and that could cause a few problems,” Benson said. “Just to be on the safe side, please call (your natural gas provider) before you start using appliances or anything in the house to make sure everything’s okay.”

Anyone smelling the sulfur-like “rotten egg” odor of natural gas or thinking there may be a gas leak, Benson said they need to stop what they’re doing, leave the area immediately, and then call 911 and the Columbia Gas emergency line at 1-800-544-5606.

Columbia also advises, “Encroachments within pipeline easements can be a safety hazard. It is important that property owners understand the importance of keeping these areas clear. Nothing should be placed within the limits of the easement area. More information can be found at www.columbiagasva.com/encroachments.”