Gas Appliance Safety

Ranges

When lighting any match-lit burners or ovens, always light the match before turning on the gas. If the flame goes out, turn off the burner and let the gas disperse before relighting.
Clean away any grease, oil or debris from the area around burners to help prevent fires.
Never use water to put out a grease fire. Use baking soda, or if a fire is in a pan, smother the flames with a lid. A fire extinguisher in the kitchen is also recommended.
Move any flammable objects — towels, curtains, calendars — away from range burners and other hot surfaces.

Ovens

Never use your oven for domestic heating. This misuse of your oven puts you at risk of burns from hot surfaces and shortens the life of oven parts and controls. Use only heaters that are designed for domestic heating and follow the manufacturer's operating instructions.

Make sure your water heater is securely anchored to a wall. This will help prevent the heater from shifting and possibly falling in an earthquake.
If your water heater is on an elevated platform, make sure the platform is sturdy enough to withstand the weight of the water heater and movement during an earthquake.
A temperature of 120 degrees F is adequate for most household uses with minimal danger of scalding and maximum energy efficiency. Dishwashers require a temperature of 140 degrees F for proper disinfection and cleaning. Most dishwashers preheat the water to the proper temperature; if not, lowering the water-heating temperature is not recommended
Do not store flammable materials — mops, brooms, laundry, newspapers — near your water heater.
Do not store combustible materials — paints, solvents, gasoline — in the same room or near your water heater.

Your furnace should be serviced once a year to help maximize its life and performance. Follow the instructions in the owner's manual, or call a qualified professional.
Have your furnace checked for fire hazards such as a damaged firebox and any dislodged, clogged, rusted or damaged vents.
Clean or replace your filter regularly, or after each month of heavy usage.
Replace the blower door cover after checking your filter.
Securely fasten the door that covers the pilot light and burner area.
Do not store combustible materials — paints, solvents, gasoline — in the same room or near your furnace.
Do not store flammable materials mops, brooms, laundry, newspapers — near your furnace.
Air-supply vents must be clear of obstructions. Furnaces need a constant supply of fresh air to run efficiently and safely.
Kerosene heaters or other unvented heaters are not recommended and should only be used in well-ventilated rooms. Always operate your heater according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Do not store flammable materials — mops, brooms, laundry, newspapers — near gas appliances.
Do not store combustible materials — paints, solvents, gasoline — in the same room or near your appliances.
Make sure a flexible gas line connection is installed connecting the gas houseline (the gas pipe connecting your appliances to the gas meter) to the appliance to reduce the likelihood of damage if movement should occur.
You should have an appliance gas shutoff valve installed at each gas appliance that lets you turn off the gas to that appliance only if there is a gas leak, or if the appliance needs to be replaced or serviced.