Smyrna Utilities issues winter gas-safety and energy-conservation advisory

Smyrna Utilities issued an advisory as extreme winter weather approaches, saying crews are monitoring conditions and preparing for emergency response while urging residents to follow safety and energy-conservation measures.

A Smyrna Utilities representative said colder temperatures can increase natural gas use and may raise customers' energy bills. To reduce risks and conserve energy, the utility advised residents to “never use an oven or gas stovetop to heat your home,” noting that doing so can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

The advisory included several concrete safety steps: protect natural gas meters by gently removing snow and ice with a broom or brush and never chipping ice with hard objects; ensure external vents for dryers and gas appliances are clear to avoid a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide; and, to reduce the risk of frozen pipes, leave faucets running at a slow drip, open cabinet doors under sinks and keep doors and windows closed to retain heat.

Smyrna Utilities provided a customer-service line for nonemergency gas concerns: (615) 355-5740, option 1, during normal business hours. The utility also instructed residents who smell natural gas to leave the area immediately and, from a safe distance, call 911 or the Smyrna Police Department at (615) 459-6644. The representative said a gas technician would be dispatched right away in response to reported gas smells or loss of service.

For energy savings the utility recommended setting thermostats to 68 degrees during the day and lowering them when away. The advisory closed with a community appeal to “stay warm, stay safe,” and thanked residents for helping keep the community safe.

The advisory contains practical, actionable steps for residents; it does not announce any service outages or policy changes.