It’s a phrase that could refer to the jar of half-used pasta sauce buried in the back of the fridge. Or maybe the exercise bike in the basement you haven’t actually seen in since around 2012.
If you’re like most people, the natural gas meter attached to your home would also qualify. Not that we don’t care about refrigerator hygiene and cardio workouts, but it won’t surprise you to know that we’re most concerned with that third example.
When it comes to your gas meter, keep in mind that Avista will need access to it for periodic readings and maintenance. And in case of an emergency, we’ll need immediate access to the shutoff valve.
With these things in mind, take a look at your meter with fresh eyes. Is there anything in the way? Are there plants or flowers hiding the dials? Is there debris that has gathered around it? In the winter, is it buried under 6 inches of snow? If the answer is yes to any of these, help us out by carefully removing said obstacles.
While we’re talking about the meter, we’ll also ask you to never lean objects against it, place objects on top of it, or building anything (like a deck) above it.
Finally, be careful when operating a vehicle near your meter. It can be relatively easy to forget about and accidentally back into it, which would result in a dangerous situation.
Beyond these simple steps, Avista will take care of everything else, like periodic maintenance.
Out of sight, out of mind is a cliche for a good reason: it’s how our human brains tend to work. But when it comes to the natural gas meter on your property, it’s best to keep it in mind, even when it’s out of sight.