South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas Offer Safety Tips for Summer Storm and Hurricane Season

FOLSOM, NJ, August 9, 2024– Summer is here, and while that means fun in the sun, it can also raise the threat for dangerous storms which are currently in the forecast in the region. Severe storms can produce significant wind, hail, rain and lightning, which may lead to property damage, power outages and flooding.

“We think it’s important to be proactive by offering our customers tips on how to plan for summer storms,” said Craig Stewart, vice president, safety and shared services, SJI Utilities. “As a trusted community partner, our customers need to be aware of how to deal with severe weather threats so they can protect themselves and their families this summer season.”

South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas offer the following tips to help customers prepare for the possibility of severe summer storms and hurricanes.

Before the storm:

• Get Ready. Create an emergency plan for your family and pets. For example, know where the emergency supplies are and how you would evacuate your home if necessary.
• Prepare an Emergency Kit. Include non-perishable food, bottled water, medications, flashlights, a first aid kit, and an up-to-date fire extinguisher.
• Be in Charge. Power up your electronic devices, fuel up generators and vehicles, and have plenty of batteries on hand. 
• Stay Informed. Keep a battery-powered weather radio — or another, non-electric powered source of weather and emergency information — readily available.

During the storm:

• Stay Inside. In most cases, you'll be safer inside your home. If you must go outside, be sure to dress according to the weather.
• Avoid Utility Lines. Stay far away from downed wires of any kind and alert your electric company immediately.
• Use Generators Safely. Read the manufacturer's instructions, always keep generators outside, and never connect a generator to your home’s electrical system.
• Light with Batteries. Use battery-powered light sources instead of candles.

After the storm:

• Protect Yourself. If you must handle storm-related debris, wear gloves and other protective equipment. Wash your hands with soap and water afterward.
• Take Floods Seriously. You can never tell how deep water is or how quickly it’s moving. Don’t guess. Be safe and stay away.
• Keep Food Safe. If you lose power, keep your refrigerator closed to keep cold air in and help protect food from spoiling.

Be Safe and Smart with Natural Gas

• Because natural gas lines are underground, they are less likely to be damaged during severe weather. However, if your gas lines or service is disrupted, follow these safety tips:
  • Never attempt to turn your gas off or on by yourself.
  • Knowing the location of your natural gas meter during an emergency will be helpful if a South Jersey Gas or Elizabethtown Gas technician needs to quickly access it.
  • If you smell natural gas — which has been treated to smell like rotten eggs — move to a safe location, call 911 and contact South Jersey Gas at 1-800-582-7060 or Elizabethtown Gas at 1-800-492-4009.

For more safety tips please visit  South Jersey Gas - Committed to Safety or Elizabethtown Gas - Committed to Safety. For more information on hurricane forecasts visit  https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.