Quick Start Guide Natural Gas Utilities

SECTION 03: KEY SAFETY MESSAGES

Who: Key Audiences & Languages The target audiences for this topic are homeowners, plumbers, sewer cleaners, drain cleaners, and public sewer agencies. Consumers • New and existing customers, and non-gas users

• Males and females 18 years and older • Adult “do-it-yourself” (DIY) audience

Trade Professionals • Plumbing contractors/sewer “clean out” contractors • Construction companies • Hardware stores and equipment rental stores

Public Sewer Agencies • Sewage/sanitation districts • Public works departments

What: Core Messages The core message is the most important point or essential idea to be understood and remembered by the target audience. The message for this topic is: If you encounter a blockage in a sewer lateral, it could be caused by a natural gas line that was inadvertently drilled or bored through the sewer line in what is known as a “cross bore.” Cutting into a cross-bored natural gas line can result in a fire or explosion. Before clearing any blocked sewer lateral, take precautions to determine whether a cross bore exists and use the least invasive equipment possible.

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Developing a Public Safety Communications Program