Plan ahead for a safe spring

(NC)— Who isn't eager for spring to arrive? Green grass and warmer weather are certainly things to look forward to. As the season starts to change, the desire to get outside and get to work will get stronger. However, don't let the temptation to rush into spring activities put you in harm's way.

Here are some occasions when safety should be top of mind:

Before you break ground, you must find out what lies below. Natural gas and other utility lines could be buried in your yard. It's the law to locate buried natural gas lines before you dig. At least one week before starting your project, contact Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 or www.on1call.com. They'll help by coordinating with their member utilities to locate underground lines, mark them, and leave a locate sheet providing instructions on how to dig safely.

Hold off throwing the steaks or salmon on the grill until you've had a chance to give your barbecue a thorough safety check. The manufacturer's instructions will guide you on proper maintenance and use for your barbecue. It will likely recommend you clean it and check hoses for cracks and damage. Never use a match/lighter to check for leaks. Instead, brush a mixture of soap and water onto the connections and hoses (a 50/50 mix) and any rising bubbles will indicate a leak. Have any leak repaired before using your barbecue.

Get a jump on pool opening season by booking an inspection early. It will help you avoid being hot and bothered that you didn't call a licensed heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) contactor sooner. All fuel-burning equipment, including pool heaters need to be maintained regularly to ensure they continue running safely and efficiently.

Spring's melting snow and rain showers dramatically increase the risk of a flood or sewer back-up. Never enter any flooded areas or attempt to restart your natural gas appliances (including furnaces, boilers and water heaters) until they've been inspected by an HVAC contractor. If they've come into contact with water, they're considered unsafe. Always call your local natural gas utility if you suspect flooding has caused damage to your natural gas equipment or appliances.

And before any plumbing work to clear a sewer blockage starts beyond the outside walls of the building, contact Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 or www.on1call.com and ask for a free Natural Gas Sewer Safety Inspection.

Learn more about safety at enbridgegas.com/safety

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