When Westside residents and Realtors Mimi and Jon Torp were looking for their newest Community Outreach program to benefit local homeowners and neighborhoods, they were a bit stunned by what they discovered. While many newer and remodeled homes, particularly those built after 1998 are equipped with automatic Seismic gas shutoff valves, unfortunately a great many older homes are not. This leaves them quite vulnerable during a large earthquake or other natural disaster.
What surprised the Torps the most was just how many longtime homeowners have not really given their gas shut-off a second thought. Then again, it’s an issue that’s never really addressed until such time when a home is remodeled or sold and an automatic seismic shutoff is required by law.
In the event of a major earthquake, time is of the essence when turning off the valve supplying gas to your house. To prevent an explosion or fire it is critical to always have a tool handy near your gas meter valve for easy access to shut off the gas.
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To address this problem head-on and continuing an ongoing commitment to benefit their community, Mimi and Jon Torp of Gibson International are offering a complimentary manual gas shutoff tool to any Westside Los Angeles Homeowner without an automatic shutoff device on their gas line. This can be attached via a reusable cable tie to a pipe near the shutoff valve keeping it always in easy reach so you, or a neighbor, if you’re not at home, could quickly shut down the feed to your house should a gas leak be detected after a major shaker.
Your Free Emergency Survival Gas Shutoff Tool can be obtained by sending your name and address to the Torps via email at EQShutoff@thetorps.com or on their website: THETORPS.COM.