PECO reminds customers of the importance of natural gas safety.

The region has already experienced its first touch of winter temperatures and with the heating season on the horizon, PECO customers will soon be using more natural gas to heat their homes and businesses.

Just as PECO prepares its natural gas and electric systems for winter, customers should prepare, too. Heating systems should be checked now and inspected by a qualified technician to ensure safe and efficient operation for the season ahead.

"Safety is always our top priority and with the winter months coming, we know many of our customers will be increasing their use of natural gas,” said Ron Bradley, vice president of Gas Operations. “We are asking customers to put safety first, and it’s so important that they maintain their natural gas equipment and know how to recognize and report any natural gas issues."

Customers and residents also should remember the following important information about natural gas:

• Natural gas has no natural odor, so an odorant is added to help detect when a leak occurs.
• Leaks can be caused by construction or by ground movement during winter's deep freeze.
• Promptly reporting a natural gas odor plays a critical role in ensuring safety.

If you smell natural gas, call PECO at 1-800-841-4141, 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.

• If you smell a faint odor of natural gas, check to see if a pilot light is out or if a burner is partially on. If you cannot find the source, call PECO.
• If you smell a very strong odor of natural gas:
  • Evacuate immediately and call 911 and PECO from outside
  • Do not turn any electrical switches on or off
  • Do not use devices such as phones, radios, doorbells or flashlights
  • Do not smoke, strike a match or use a lighter
  • Do not start a motor vehicle near the building or source of odor
• If you smell natural gas outside, especially near a natural gas meter, call PECO.

During winter storms, customers also should remember to:

• Keep exhaust vents for natural gas appliances like water heaters, furnaces and fireplaces clear of snow and ice to prevent buildup of carbon monoxide.
• Keep natural gas meters clear of snow and ice by using a broom or brush to gently clear the area around the meter.

PECO works hard to ensure safe, reliable, affordable and clean energy and energy services for more than 540,000 natural gas customers. The company inspects and maintains approximately 13,000 miles of natural gas transmission, distribution, and service lines. In addition, PECO responds to reports of natural gas odors in less than an hour - 99.9 percent of the time - which is one of the best response times among Pennsylvania natural gas utilities.

Increased usage can also lead to higher bills, especially considering increased energy costs expected nationwide this winter. Customers are encouraged to use energy wisely, take steps to be more efficient and take advantage of bill relief or assistance programs.

For more information about natural gas safety, including a video on what to do if you smell gas, visit peco.com/gassafety.

PECO, founded in 1881, is Pennsylvania's largest electric and natural gas utility. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PECO delivers energy to more than 1.6 million electric customers and more than 532,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania. The company's 2,900 employees are dedicated to the safe and reliable delivery of electricity and natural gas as well as enhanced energy management conservation, environmental stewardship, and community assistance. PECO is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (Nasdaq: EXC), the nation's only Fortune 100 utility and leading competitive energy provider. For more information visit PECO.com, and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

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