Emergencies

Electric
Never touch a power line or anything touching it. Downed power lines, power outages, inoperative streetlights or other emergencies should be reported to City Hall at 939-8600 during normal working hours or to Dispatch at 939-8651.

Natural Gas
Natural gas is lighter than air and has no odor. To help you detect the presence of natural gas, a strong odorant that smells like rotten eggs is added. If you smell this odor:

1. Exit the building immediately
2. Do no use matches, lighters, electrical switches, appliances or your telephone.
3. Call from a nearby building by dialing (618) 939-6413. Do not re-enter the building until the City has declared it safe.
We urge you to call the first time you smell the odor of natural gas. The City personnel will be happy to assist you. This service is provided free, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

For more information on Natural Gas – click here to download the Natural Gas Customer Information Handbook.

Carbon Monoxide
Learn to recognize the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness, vision or hearing impairment and drowsiness. If you notice these symptoms and suspect that carbon monoxide is the cause, you should:

1. Get some fresh air immediately.
2. Contact the City.
3. Seek medical help.

Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Check for these indications that your heating system requires service:

1. The presence of soot or carbon deposits on your heating equipment.
2. Clogged chimneys and flues.
3. Rusted or rotted flues.