(POUGHKEEPSIE, NY) With the winter heating season approaching, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. reminds customers of the importance of always acting responsibly around natural gas. As part of its annual safety campaign, the utility this week begins including special "Scratch 'n Sniff" inserts in bills sent to customers who live in municipalities served by natural gas pipelines.

"Since natural gas is odorless in its natural state, we add a safe chemical to provide it with a pungent but easy-to-detect odor. These new bill inserts are designed to help customers recognize that smell in the unlikely event of a natural gas leak," explained Denise D. VanBuren, Central Hudson's Vice President of Corporate Communications and Community Relations. "We certainly hope that no one ever has to call in a suspicion of a problem with our system or their equipment, but we also want to help our customers be aware of this unique smell in the event of an actual emergency."

Customers who think they smell natural gas should leave immediately, without lighting any flames or turning on appliances, even a flashlight or telephone. Once at a safe location, they should call Central Hudson's 24-hour gas emergency hotline: 1-800-942-8274. The utility will respond immediately to check for any potential leaks or faulty appliances.

There are many other safety tips regarding use of both electricity and natural gas to be found at Central Hudson's Web site at www.CHEnergyGroup.com. They include:

• Never allow children to play with or light the controls on gas appliances.
  
• Never use a gas oven or range for space heating, or any purpose for which is was not designed.
  
• Be sure to "Call Before You Dig" to ensure that no pipelines are present at your excavation site: 1-800-962-7962.
  
• Keep water heater temperatures below 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
  
• Inspect and clean all natural gas appliances and their connections regularly.
  
• Keep combustible materials away from natural gas appliances. Never store gasoline, paint or cleaning products around a furnace or water heater; use a fireproof cabinet to store all flammable solvents and liquids.
  
• Ensure that the seal of a national testing agency, such as the American Gas Association or the Underwriters' Laboratory, appears on any purchased appliance.
  
• Be sure that the connection has been properly shut off and capped if moving a natural gas appliance for any reason.
  

At this time of year, customers should also be aware of the potential dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, which occurs when an inadequate air supply causes the faulty burning of any fuel (including oil, coal, kerosene or even wood). Those impacted by CO poisoning experience headaches, dizziness, nausea or drowsiness. If a CO problem is suspected, the assumed appliance should be disconnected, the area ventilated and occupants made to step outside. Central Hudson's natural gas hotline should be called at 1-800-942-8274, or the homeowner's heating contractor contacted right away.

Central Hudson offers a free booklet, "A Guide to Safety, Service and Managing Energy Bills for Central Hudson's Natural Gas Customers." Customers need simply call the utility's PowerLine at 845-452-2700 or 1-800-527-2714 to request their complimentary copy.