The water heater is a common source of hazards. Practice these safety rules to prevent fires and other accidents with your water heater.

Keep the area clear around natural gas water heaters, clothes dryers and furnaces. Don't pile boxes, papers or clothes around the water heater.

Don't hang anything on the natural gas pipes leading to the water heater or natural gas appliances. Also, don't climb, hang or lean on the pipes.

Never store flammable materials like gasoline, paint thinner, paints or kerosene in the same room as a natural gas appliance. This is especially important around the natural gas water heater.