Now that we are well into winter, you probably don’t have to be reminded to keep snow off your driveways and away from mailboxes.

However, you might have to be reminded to keep your gas meter clear of snow and ice.

It might be easy to forget, but it’s needed.

Built-up snow and ice place stress on the regulators and meter piping, which could cause gas to leak into a home and create a hazardous situation.

You also might want to clear a path to your meter so a reader can access it.

But back to the potentially unsafe condition.

Semco Energy Gas Co. is asking customers to keep their meters clear during periods of heavy snow and when they’re clearing their roofs.

The company has provided a few ways to help protect gas meter equipment as well as gas appliances to avoid a potentially hazardous situation or service disruption:

≤ Never allow snow to cover the natural gas meter or its pressure regulator, or block appliance exhaust vents;

≤ Use caution when shoveling snow, plowing or snow blowing to avoid piling snow against the natural gas meter, regular or appliance vents;

≤ Remove soft snow build-up gently, using only a broom or your hand instead of a shovel, which could damage the meter; and

≤ Do not try to remove ice or frozen snow from the natural gas meter, pressure regular or piping. If you discover the gas meter or pressure regulator is covered in ice or frozen snow, do not try to remove the ice or use de-icer. Contact Semco at 1-800-624-2019.

Keeping such equipment free from snow or ice is a good habit to start, and sooner than later. Winter’s not going away anytime soon.