[punkpup]

Originally Posted by chuckster

Why not shut off the gas at the meter, which is above ground by the house. Only takes 1/4 turn. Same place where gas company shuts it off for inhouse repairs or to lock it off for non-payment. Check it out if you have gas just so that you know where to shut it off in an emergency. All you need is a crescent wrench or large pliers.

Seems as though newest homes are all-electric and do not have gas available. Is this true?

I work for the Natural Gas Division of nationalgrid in Massachusetts. We generally use Pipe Wrenches to turn off/on gas meters but you can use a crescent wrench, channel locks or pliers. There is also a wonderful 4 in 1 Emergency Tool by On Duty which you may find at the Hardware Store or at this site: http://tools2you.com/store/merchant....id=2362&step=4 which I believe may be the one Linwood refers to in his post.

If you're interested in learning how to turn off the gas at the meter you may find these links helpful:
http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/edusaf...ic/turngasoff/
http://www.earthquakesolutions.com/id82.html
http://www.pse.com/SAFETYRELIABILITY...s/ShutOff.aspx
http://www.seattle.gov/html/CITIZEN/...tyShut-Off.PDF

Something you may want to consider if you spend any length of time away from your home is to call the gas company to have them shut off the gas and install a lock on your gas meter. Obviously you can just shut the gas off yourself but you will continue to receive a monthly gas bill from the Gas Company if you do.

NOTE: Once the gas is shut off at the meter, do not try to turn it back on yourself. (Unless of course you are a qualified professional.) If the gas service shutoff valve is closed a qualified professional should perform a safety inspection before the gas service is restored and the appliance pilots are lit.