From the Emergency Preparedness Manual

Check utilities and appliances for leaks or damage. Maintain all gas or electric appliances in good working order.

Gas lines should be installed using flexible connectors where they meet the appliances. Gas appliances include such equipment as stoves, water heaters, and spa and swimming pool heaters.

Keep a wrench easily accessible but not next to gas meter, as this could tempt pranksters. This wrench should exceed one foot in length. Gas valves can require force to operate.

Check with PG&E before installing an automatic shutoff valve. Some locations are subject to vibration from nearby traffic and thus unsuitable for such a valve.

Do not use matches, lighters, open flame appliances or operate electrical switches until you are sure no gas leaks exist. Sparks from electrical switches could ignite gas, causing an explosion.

Once the gas valve has been shut off, only a qualified servicer should turn the gas valve back on. Post in your electric circuit box the location of all pilot lights to assist a qualified servicer when relighting them.

From Page 6 of the Los Altos Emergency Preparedness Manual. For more information, visit www.ci.los-altos.ca.us.