e-SMARTkids Teacher’s GuidePrint

Find the Hidden Dangers. This game teaches students to recognize and correct gas-related hazards in and around the home.

Pipewinder. This game stresses the danger of gas pipeline leaks and teaches students how to respond to them safely.

How Dense Can You Be?  This game explores the concept of density through an activity involving oil and water.

E.3.1 Identify responsible health behaviors
E.3.3 Compare behaviors that are safe to those that are risky or harmful.
E.3.5 Develop and practice safety techniques to avoid and reduce injury and disease.

M.1.1 Explain the relationship between positive health behaviors and prevention of injury, illness disease and premature death.
M.1.6 Use appropriate strategies to prevent/reduce risks and promote well-being.
M.3.1 Explain the importance of assuming responsibility for personal health behaviors.
M.3.3 Distinguish between safe, risky or harmful behaviors involving themselves and/or others.
M.3.5 Examine and apply safety techniques to avoid ad reduce injury and prevent disease.

3.4.a Distinguish among reducing, reusing, recycling and replacing as conservation techniques.

5.1 Sound and light are forms of energy.

7.1. Energy provides the ability to do work and can exist in many forms.

Gas Safety Practices in the Home. Why is it so dangerous to store flammable objects near gas appliances? (Gas appliances use a flame and some, like an oven or heater, can get hot enough to set fire to something flammable that is close by. Also, the fumes of flammable liquids could be ignited by the flame or pilot light inside a gas appliance.) Why shouldn’t you use the natural gas oven to heat your kitchen? (It can damage the oven.) Why is it unsafe to play on gas pipes in the home? (You could damage the pipes and cause a gas leak.)

Gas Pipeline Safety. Natural gas travels in underground pipes. Ask students to explain why, if their family is planning a digging project, they should call the utility locator service at 811. (So underground utilities can be marked for safety.)

Gas Leak Recognition and Response. What is one possible sign of a gas pipeline leak? (Natural gas smells like rotten eggs.) What should you do if you smell a gas leak? (Stay far away from the area. Ask a trusted adult to call 911 and your local gas utility right away. Don’t talk on a cell phone or use a flame or anything electrical, as a spark could ignite the gas.)

Safety Objective: To teach students the potential danger and signs of an outdoor gas pipeline leak, and how to respond safely.

Discussion: What are the signs of an outdoor gas leak? (A smell of rotten eggs; a hissing or roaring sound; dirt spraying or blowing into the air; continual bubbling in water; grass/plants that are dead or dying for no apparent reason.) Ask students what they should NOT do when there is a pipeline leak. (Do not use fire or electricity, including a phone, flashlight, or match. Do not return to the area until safety officials say it is safe to do so.) Then ask students what they SHOULD do. (Go far away from the area and report the leak to 911 and the local gas utility.)

Safety Objective: Explain the hazards associated with natural gas stoves, appliances, furnaces, water heaters, and visible pipes.

Discussion: Why is it unsafe to keep a doll or toy near a natural gas stove burner? (They could catch on fire.) Why is it important to keep the flame the same size as the pot that’s over it? (Flames that are too high can be a fire hazard and can waste energy.) What is wrong with a large, yellow, or flickering flame, or one that leaves soot on the bottom of your pots and pans? (It’s not working correctly and should be checked out by a gas repairperson.) Why is it dangerous for young children to play with oven knobs or other gas appliances or pipes? (They could accidentally turn the gas on.)

Safety Objective: To provide detail on the correct procedures in case of an indoor gas leak.

Discussion: Ask students if they recall the correct procedures for when they smell an indoor gas leak. (Leave the house and take everyone with them. Do not use a light switch, garage door opener, match, flashlight, phone, or cell phone, as a spark could ignite the gas. Call the gas company from a trusted neighbor’s or from a cell phone far away from the area.)

Safety Objective: To prevent digging into an underground pipeline, which can be dangerous.

Discussion: Where do gas pipelines run? (Underneath streets, sidewalks, under yards, and under buildings.) Why is it dangerous if you hit a gas pipeline when digging? (Even a small leak can cause a fire hazard.) What does the local utility locator service do? (Makes sure underground pipelines and other utilities are clearly marked with small colored flags or letters and symbols so people can dig a safe distance away.) What happens if you tamper with these flags and markings? (You put others at risk of contacting an underground line.) What should you do if you know an adult planning a digging project? (Have them contact the utility locator service by dialing 811 at least two business days before starting to dig.)

Objective: To understand the sources and uses of energy.

Discussion: Energy is the ability to do work or make things move and it is used in many different ways. Ask students what type of energy animals and humans use. (Food energy.) Cars use energy too. Ask students to name some sources of energy. (Natural gas. The sun. Others include oil, coal, solar power, wind power, and hydro power.)

Objective: To learn where natural gas comes from and how it gets to our homes.

Discussion: Natural gas was formed long ago, deep underground. It was formed millions of years before humans existed, and transformed into gas by the earth’s heat. The gas was then trapped by layers of rock. Geologists now send shock waves down form the earth’s surface to locate it. Then it is pumped up through wells that are constructed both on land and in the ocean. Ask students how natural gas is delivered to our homes, businesses and factories. (Through underground pipes.)

Objective: To understand the many uses of natural gas in our lives.

Discussion: Ask students to name some of the ways natural gas is used in and around our homes. (For cooking, heating, heating water, drying clothes, and transportation.)

Objective: To identify the advantages of natural gas as a vehicle fuel.

Discussion: Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs) produce much lower exhaust emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles, because natural gas is a cleaner burning fuel. Ask students if any of them have ever ridden in or seen an NGV. (Many school buses run on natural gas!)

Objective: To know how to safely respond to a gas leak at home.

Discussion: Ask students if they have ever smelled leaking gas. What did it smell like? Explain that a chemical called mercaptan is added to natural gas to make it smell like rotten eggs. Ask students why we want natural gas to smell bad. (So we know when it’s leaking and can protect ourselves.) Review with students what they should do if there is a strong gas smell in their house. (Tell an adult. If no adult is home, get everyone out of the house quickly. Do not turn on lights, light a match, or use a telephone. Go to a neighbor’s house to call for help. Don’t go back to the house until safety officials says it is okay.)