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	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 27, 2005 Media Contact Megan Craven, Devaney & Associates, Inc. 410-296-0800, x23; mcraven@devaney.net Ohio Gas Association Urges Citizens to "Trust Your Senses" Natural Gas Safety Campaign Kicks Off Statewide (Columbus, OH) - "It makes sense to trust your senses." This "sensible" tagline of the Ohio Gas Association's (OGA) new safety campaign instructs the public to smell, see and hear the signs of a natural gas leak where they live, work and play. The campaign uses broadcast advertising, print public service announcements, marketing tools, an informative Web site and public relations to reach key audiences across the state, including the general public, local officials and businesses that work around natural gas pipelines. Natural gas companies in Ohio will take the lead in promoting safety by spreading the word in their communities with a common message. The companies have jointly developed a safety awareness kit that contains campaign materials including posters, public service announcements, an elementary school lesson plan, a bill stuffer, sample news releases and other public relations resources. Each piece of the kit is designed to effectively reach specific audiences through messages consistent with the OGA's advertising efforts. Natural gas is one of the most widely used sources of energy in the U.S. and is brought to customers through a complex system of underground pipelines. This system is the safest form of energy transportation available and the risks of natural gas leaks are consistently low. However, not knowing what to do in the case of a leak can be hazardous to anyone in the vicinity of the leak. One of the main goals of the safety campaign is to inform residents and officials about ways to use their senses to recognize a gas leak, and what steps to take if a leak is suspected: Possible indicators of escaping natural gas: Smell. Natural gas companies add a harmless substance to natural gas to create a recognizable, rotten-egg-like odor. See. Blowing dirt, bubbling water, or an unusual area of dead vegetation may indicate a natural gas leak. Hear. A leaking pipeline or appliance may make a hissing sound. What to do if you detect a natural gas leak: • Do not attempt to locate the gas leak. • Do not use lighters, matches or other sources of open flames. • Do not turn lights on or off, unplug electrical appliances, use telephones (including cell phones) or do anything that may create a spark. • Leave the area immediately and call your local natural gas company or 9-1-1. "All member companies of the OGA want residents to know that we are dedicated to continuing the strong safety track record of the natural gas pipeline system in Ohio," says Roy Rushing, president of the OGA. "These pipelines distribute natural gas to your home or business and exist everywhere; so we want everyone to be aware of the signs of a leak and how to react if a leak is suspected - even if natural gas is not a source of energy in your home." Ohio boasts over 3.6 million residential, commercial and industrial natural gas customers, according to statistics from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Underground pipelines make it possible for natural gas to be safely transported throughout the state to these customers. These pipelines are the safest form of energy transportation available, carrying natural gas and other forms of energy across state lines and into homes and businesses throughout the country. About the Ohio Gas Association The OGA is a trade association of over 40 operators which was organized to inform member companies of rules, regulations and accepted practices within the gas industry. Members of the OGA rely on employee training, constant visual inspections and sophisticated technology to maintain the system and protect the safety of natural gas customers. The safety awareness initiative is brought to the general public, emergency officials, local public officials and excavators by the member companies of the OGA.		About Natural Gas Safety Operator Media Kit Educator Lesson Plan News About safegasohio.org Call Before You Dig—OUPS Links Home Suspect a natural gas leak right now? Don’t touch or turn off your computer—walk away, right away. When clear of the area, call your local natural gas company or 9-1-1 for emergency response.