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Safety

Safety

Your safety is very important to MGE.

Call MGE's emergency line to report a gas odor or electric outage.

  • Gas - Madison area calls: 252-1111
  • Electric - Madison area calls: 252-7111
  • Long distance calls: 1-800-245-1123

If your lights go out

See if your neighbors' power is out:

  • If it's not, check your fuses or circuit breakers
  • If it is, look out your windows for anything unusual like fallen wires or tree limbs on a line. Stay away from any downed wires.
  • Call the MGE ALERT line to report the situation at your home
  • Unplug sensitive electronic equipment and turn off light switches to help prevent overloads when power is restored
  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed
  • Use a battery-operated radio for news updates
  • If your power remains out after your neighbor has lights, call MGE
  • Check the current power outages

If you smell gas

In the house

If you smell a strong, persistent gas odor, immediately:

  • Put out all open flames
  • Don't smoke or light any matches
  • Don't touch any electrical light or appliance switches
  • Don't use your phone; it may cause a spark
  • Leave the house and call MGE from a neighbor's home, away from the gas odor. As you leave, open doors and windows, but only if you can do so quickly and easily.
  • Stay away from your house until you've been told that it is safe to return

Outdoors

If you smell natural gas outdoors, call us immediately. If there's a major leak, such as one caused by excavators or a vehicle damaging a gas line:

  • Call MGE immediately
  • Notify the police and fire departments
  • Warn others to stay away from the area of the apparent leak

Clear Snow from Meters and Vents

MGE wants you to be safe when the snow piles up.

Clear around gas meters

  • Keep the area around gas meter equipment clear of snow and ice.
  • Remove heavy snow and ice from above that could fall on and damage the meter and cause a gas leak.
  • Carefully move snow and ice by hand to avoid damaging equipment with your shovel.

Clear around furnace and water heater vents

  • Blocked vents can cause furnaces and water heaters to shut down, a potential build-up of carbon monoxide or a costly service call.
  • Use a long screwdriver to clear snow and ice from the end of the pipes.

Emergency phone number correction

MGE's emergency phone number was incorrectly listed by Yellowbook Inc. in its 2012 printed telephone directory. Please use the following phone numbers for emergencies:

  • Smell natural gas? Leave immediately and call MGE at (608) 252-1111.
  • Lights out, powerline down or other emergency, call (608) 252-7111.
  • Toll-free emergency, call 1-800-245-1123.

For more information

Electric Safety
Emergency Responder Training
Natural Gas and Electric Safety [935 kB PDF]
Natural Gas Safety
Power Outages
Diggers Hotline
Customer-Owned Natural Gas Pipes
Energy Emergency Guide [615 kB PDF]