With winter weather in full swing, the City of Winfield and the Winfield Municipal Gas Utility urge all Iowa residents to be aware of the sights, sounds, and smells of a gas leak during the cold season.

A gas leak can be identified by a hissing or whistling noise, a rotten egg smell or unusual odor, bubbling in wet or flooded areas, abnormally hard or dry soil, or discolored plants.

If the gas odor is slight, open windows and doors to ventilate the area, and only re-light the pilot light if you know how. For strong gas odors, leave the building immediately and contact the gas company from a neighbor’s phone. Do not light matches, turn light switches on or off, use the telephone, or re-enter the building until notified by the gas company.

Residents are also reminded to recognize the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning during this time. Dizziness, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and throbbing headaches could be early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning and should result in an evacuation of the building and a phone call to your local gas utility.