Besides Adjusting Your Clock This Weekend, Be Sure to Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries and Call 811 If You’re Planning a Digging Project

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE )--It’s time to spring forward! Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 13. Aside from setting your watch and clocks one hour forward and enjoying more daylight, this is the perfect time to make your home and family safer. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has some simple tips that can help.

Carbon monoxide can be emitted from improperly functioning gas appliances, particularly those used for heating and cooking. To protect your family against potential exposure, carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every floor, near sleeping areas and in common areas.

Remember, carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it is odorless and can’t be seen, and all California homes are required to have carbon monoxide detectors.

The longer days can make you eager to go outdoors for a backyard project. Whether you’ve hired a contractor to do a major job, or you’re just repairing or building a fence, planting or removing a tree or installing a new mailbox, call 811 before any digging project – large or small! This simple, free phone call can prevent damaging an underground utility line while digging. Utility workers will respond at no cost to you and mark the location of any underground utility lines. Making that free call will help avoid injuries, property damage and costly repairs potentially in the thousands of dollars.

If customers suspect a gas leak, PG&E urges customers to call 911 and then PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. If an accidental dent, scrape or other damage is made to a gas pipeline, those nearby must leave immediately and alert others to avoid the area. Only when a safe distance away should anything that might create a spark such as cell phones, matches, garage door openers, vehicles or yard equipment be used.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.