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Yankee Gas Services Company
P.O. Box 270
Hartford, CT 06141-0270
(800) 989-0900

News Release
MEDIA CONTACT:Karen SamideJeff Tilghman
Office:(860) 665-5353 (860) 665-3931
Safety program presented at elementary schools in towns across Connecticut

BERLIN, Conn., November 10, 2009 — What is found deep underground, can be used to heat your home or cook a pizza, and contributes to cleaner air? Fourth graders at many Connecticut elementary schools can tell you that it's natural gas. These students also know that if they detect a "rotten egg" smell in their home, they should leave and go to a neighbor's house to call the natural gas company.

These are just some of the lessons learned by thousands of students each year from Yankee Gas’ education program.

The program is designed to increase public awareness of natural gas safety. The presentations cover basic information, such as where natural gas comes from, how it is transported through underground pipelines to customers, and why natural gas is a clean, efficient energy source that is good for the environment. Yankee Gas employees also show students what natural gas meters and valves look like and let students try on protective gear, such as hard hats, safety goggles, ear protection and safety vests.

"Teaching natural gas safety is the very important goal of our program," said Marc Andrukiewicz, vice president of Operations. "Students are given scratch-n-sniff cards so they can identify the ‘rotten egg’ smell of natural gas. We explain that because natural gas is odorless and colorless, we add a chemical to make it smell like rotten eggs, so it's easier to detect leaks."

"The students learn the safety steps to take if they smell natural gas," added Andrukiewicz. These steps include leaving the house immediately, without touching light switches or using any appliances, and going to a neighbor's house to call the gas company.

School administrators interested in scheduling a fourth-grade presentation should contact Lee Anne Housley at 203.317.4430.


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