Yeadon Fire Department is reporting an increase in natural gas calls in Delaware County.

Yeadon Fire Chief Mike DiIenno reported two recent incidents July 30 in the borough. Fire crews responded to the 1200 block of Moore Avenue at 8:06 a.m.

About 12 hours later, a second dispatch for natural gas came from a Church Lane address near borough hall.

The Yeadon Fire Company offers some simple life – and property – saving steps for emergencies involving natural gas.

For many years, the connections for natural gas have changed from solid pipes to a flexible form of gas delivery. These flexible connections do not last forever. A common, relatively inexpensive step to prevent natural gas leaks is to replace old flexible connectors with a new one whenever a new appliance is installed.

“If there is any hint of leaking natural gas, the first step is to do nothing EXCEPT leave the building. DO NOT turn on or turn off any light switches. Grab the cell phone or wireless home phone and IMMEDIATELY go to a safe location outside. Then call 911 and DO NOT return to the property,” said Chief Dienno.

Turning on or off a light switch causes unseen, small sparks. The simple use of a light switch has been identified as the source in many natural gas explosions. This same unseen spark can occur in lamp switches.

Residents should immediately leave if they smell any odor of gas. The Yeadon Fire Company strongly stresses that nothing is more valuable than a life. Follow the Yeadon Fire Company’s rule of “GET OUT, CALL OUT, and STAY OUT.