To help keep your home and family safe during winter weather follow these safety tips:

• Never use an oven or a gas stovetop to heat your home.
• Minimize the risk of frozen pipes. Leave faucets running at a trickle, leave cabinet doors open, and close all doors and windows to keep heat inside.
• Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are in working condition. Learn more here.
• Snow and ice buildup can damage gas meters and pipes and make them difficult to reach in an emergency.
• Carefully remove snow and ice from meters and pipes by gently using a broom or brush.
• Do not use ice-melting chemicals, salt, shovels, or sharp-edged tools. Never kick or chip snow and ice away with a hard object.
• Make sure that external vents for dryers and other natural gas equipment are clear. Blocked vents for dryers and other gas appliances can lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide gas. If you have questions about proper venting, contact a licensed plumber or qualified contractor.
• Make sure the meter is visible to snowplow drivers if it is near a street or sidewalk.
• Make sure snow and ice from your roof does not land on or bury your gas meter.  
• Repair leaky gutters and make sure water does not drip onto the meter and freeze.
• If you think you smell gas, act fast! Leave the area immediately and from a safe distance call 911 and the Atmos Energy emergency number at 866.322.8667.
• For more home safety information, click here.

Because colder weather may impact the amount of natural gas you use, consider implementing these energy-saving tips where safe to do so:

• Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 58 degrees when you are away from home.
• Reduce your shower and bath time. Showering and bathing can account for 40 percent of your home's hot water use. 
• Operate your clothes washer, dryer, and dishwasher only when fully loaded. 
• Unless a fire is burning, close your fireplace damper to prevent warm air from escaping up the chimney.
• Do not use a pool heater. Instead, run your pool pump during the coldest part of the day to circulate the water and prevent freezing.
• Customers in Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, and parts of Texas can take advantage of rebates on high-efficiency natural gas appliances, energy-saving devices, and weatherization upgrades. Click here to learn more about our SmartChoice Rebate program.