Safety is a top value at Liberty New York Gas, as evidenced by the company’s excellent track record; 2022 marked the 10th consecutive year without a lost time injury. This means no employees had to miss work due to an on-the-job injury.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment and worth celebrating,” said Mark Saltsman, Vice President of Liberty New York Gas. “Our crews do an excellent job maintaining our system and practice safety – for themselves and our customers. I am extremely proud of their dedication not only to service, but to safety.”
The North Country utility achieved this success under the watchful eye of Darren Wilson, who retired in January after 32 years of service. Wilson held many positions with the utility, most recently director of operations.
“Darren has been a huge asset to our team, and while we’re excited for his next journey, he will be missed,” said Mark Saltsman, Vice President of Liberty New York Gas. Saltsman continued, “One of the values Darren instilled in our team is that we don’t just talk about safety, we practice it – at work, in the field, at our homes. This focus will not stop, and with several more months of winter in the North Country, we want to encourage our customers to also practice the same level of caution and care around their homes.”
Here are some important winter safety reminders for local residents:
- Between meals, make sure all kitchen equipment – mainly your stove and oven – is turned off. Kitchen equipment should never be used for heating.
- Avoid using portable fuel gas heaters, such as propane or kerosene, indoors. Additionally, electric heaters should have a UL Tag on the unit or cord.
- Keep anything that can catch on fire away from cooking equipment – like oven mitts, paper or plastic bags, towels, etc. – and avoid loose clothing while cooking.
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home, especially in the kitchen and near bedrooms, and set a reminder at least twice each year to test and/or replace the batteries.
- Always use a safety screen in the fireplace.
- Each year, have a licensed heating contractor inspect your chimneys and flue pipes for safe operation.
- Ensure wood or pellet stoves are installed and vented properly, inspected regularly, and only burn natural wood (avoid burning pressure-treated or painted wood or construction debris).
- Practice care if using candles. Make sure to extinguish them when not in use, place them on a non-flammable surface, keep them away from any other objects and out of reach of children and pets. Or consider flameless alternatives.
- Keep a fire extinguisher rated for home use mounted near the exit doors, not near a hazard such as a stove. Make sure it has not expired and everyone in the household knows how to use it.
- Layer up! In the extreme cold, it’s best to dress in layers with a wind-resistant outer layer.
- Have an emergency kit ready for inclement weather. Non-perishable food items, a manual can opener, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, flashlights, a wind-up or battery-powered radio, batteries, unscented candles, matches, duct tape, a first aid kit, and sleeping bags are all good items to include.
- Keep gas meters clear of ice and snow, using a broom or brush. Do not use a shovel or any other sharp object, and never pour hot water on natural gas equipment to melt ice.
- If you smell rotten eggs, call Liberty at 1-800-673-3301 or 911.
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