ERIE — National Fuel advises homeowners to be prepared and safe this winter and pay attention to outdoor gas meters, furnaces, and vents.

Snow, ice, and extreme cold temperatures can pose a variety of issues for heating systems. Ensure outdoor gas meter safety and proper service by:

Keeping the gas meter and area around the meter free of snow; clearing paths to the meter; informing those working, shoveling, plowing, or snow blowing of the meter location; not letting children play or climb on the meter; and exercising caution when removing icicles from the meter or the area above it.

Call National Fuel, 1-800-365-3234, if a meter becomes encased in ice.

Natural gas furnace exhaust vents can become easily clogged by debris, ice, or snow, causing the furnace to shut off or operate inefficiently. Blocked vents also can lead to a buildup of carbon monoxide (CO) gas inside a residence. CO is a colorless, odorless, and dangerous gas produced when fuel is burned without enough air for complete combustion. CO poisoning can cause death. Symptoms include fatigue, coughing, headache, irregular breathing, dizziness, overall paleness, nausea, and cherry red lips and ears. Open windows and doors, move outside, and call 911 immediately if experiencing symptoms. Avoid a CO emergency by:

Customers can save money this winter and help the environment by becoming more energy efficient. Small, inexpensive adjustments include using caulk or weather-stripping to reduce leaks and save up to 10% on monthly energy bills; buying a programmable thermostat or setting thermostats between 65° and 70° during the winter and at 58° when away from the house; closing vents and doors in unused rooms, closing dampers on unused fireplaces, and using registers to direct warm airflow across the floor; setting water heaters to 120° or the medium temperature setting, and draining a quart of water from the bottom of the heating tank every three months to remove sediment.