Columbia Gas sponsors scavenger hunt

Smell of rotten eggs could be gas leak

Lorain is the site of an upcoming scavenger hunt that promotes safe use of natural gas.

Participants can learn more about safety and get a chance to win a $100 gift card from Columbia Gas of Ohio in Lorain from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 8.

At that time, Columbia Gas company officials will hide an egg somewhere in the city and anyone who comes out to find it will get a chance to win the $100 Visa gift card.

The city will be the site of the gas company’s “Smell and Tell” egg hunt.

“We feel this is a fun and engaging way to educate Ohioans on the importance of identifying natural gas through the smell of rotten eggs,” said Bill Loomer, communications manager for the gas company. “This initiative is all about safety.”

Natural gas is colorless and odorless, but the rotten egg smell comes from the additive mercaptan, he said.

More safety tips are available online.

On April 7, Columbia Gas will post Lorain clues on the social media sites Facebook at the page for Columbia Gas of Ohio and on Twitter with the account @ColumbiaGasOhio.

Loomer also offered an initial clue for egg hunters: “Columbia Gas of Ohio wants you to hippity hop over to the festive Lorain spring holiday landmark for the scoop on natural gas safety and a shot at a $100 gift card.”

Official rules are posted online. Participants do not have to be Columbia gas customers for a chance to win.

When people are digging in the ground and hit gas lines, Columbia Gas of Ohio considers that gas line damage, not a gas leak, Loomer said.

As spring warms up and more people are doing yard work, people also should be aware of calling 8-1-1 ahead of time for utility companies to mark underground lines, Loomer said.

April is 8-1-1 Safe Digging Awareness Month, he said.

Anyone digging in their yards should call 48 hours ahead of time and crews will mark underground utilities, Loomer said.

Calling 8-1-1 and the utility marking is a free service.