With Colder Temperatures Approaching, NYSEG Shares Natural Gas Safety Tips
Customers urged to get up, get out, and get away if natural gas leak is suspected
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — October 28, 2025 — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) is sharing important gas safety tips for customers who suspect a gas leak in their home or business. If you suspect a natural gas leak, get up, get out, and get away! Then call NYSEG immediately at 800.572.1121 or 911 from a safe location.
“Our top priority is to protect our customers and the community,” said Tom Scappaticci, vice president of gas engineering and operations for NYSEG and RG&E. “There are more than 271,000 natural gas customers and more than 8,000 miles of gas lines in our service area. Customers should know basic natural gas safety information, especially as we approach the cooler months when gas use traditionally increases.”
A natural gas leak is usually recognized by smell, sight, or sound. Natural gas is colorless and odorless, though a distinctive rotten egg smell is added for individuals to recognize a gas leak quickly. A white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, or blowing dust is a visual sign that a natural gas leak has occurred. Customers may also notice vegetation appearing to be dead or dying for no apparent reason. A gas leak may also be present if you hear an unusual noise like roaring, hissing, or whistling.
NYSEG offers these examples of what customers should do if they suspect a natural gas leak:
Get up, get out and get away! Then call NYSEG at 800.572.1111 or 911 immediately from a safe location.
Do not smoke or operate electrical switches or appliances. These items may produce a spark that might ignite the natural gas and cause an explosion.
Do not assume someone else will report the condition. Provide the exact location, including cross streets. NYSEG is available 24/7/365 to respond to gas emergencies.
Let us know if sewer construction or digging activities are going on in the area.
Gas safety inspections are conducted regularly across the Company’s natural gas facilities, including meters, services, and pipelines, which span more than 8,000 miles. These inspections assess the condition of the service line and are completed quickly. Inspectors use gas detection equipment to help ensure there are no leaks and perform visual inspection for corrosion on all exposed piping up to the natural gas meter inside a home or business. These inspections are required by federal code and the New York State Public Service Commission. Additionally, the Company must perform regular testing of gas meters for accuracy. A meter exchange is necessary to complete this test, requiring access to customer appliances. If a customer has been contacted by NYSEG to perform this work, they are encouraged to call the local office during normal business hours to schedule an appointment.
Carbon Monoxide Safety
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is a product of incomplete combustion. Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen in a matter of minutes. To help mitigate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, customers should install a carbon monoxide alarm. Other protections can be taken as well, like having your heating system, chimney, flues and vents professionally checked.
If you suspect a carbon monoxide problem, get up, get out and get away! Then call 911, RG&E 800.572.1111 immediately from a safe location.
For more information about NYSEG’s gas response, please click here.
Media Contact:
Michael Baggerman