Lottery Offers Free Gas Shut-Off Valves

City Councilman Richard Alarcon announced a lottery Thursday that will provide about 120 residents of his northeast San Fernando Valley district with free valves that seal off gas pipes in an earthquake.

Property owners in Alarcon’s district have until April 11 to enter the lottery, which will also award winners free installation.

“By demonstrating the merits of these devices and increasing awareness of the dangers posed by the leakage of gas in a home, we hope that other property owners will be proactive in increasing the safety of their homes and community,” Alarcon said at a news conference outside an apartment building damaged by the 1994 Northridge quake.

Last month, over the objections of the real estate industry, City Council voted unanimously to require home buyers to install the $350 safety measure. The valves have been hailed by seismic experts as an effective tool in reducing the risk of gas fires after a quake.

In addition to homes sold, the council measure--which must get Mayor Richard Riordan’s expected approval before going into effect--requires valves to be put in apartments, condominiums, hotels or motels with five or more units. City officials estimate the measure would require installations on about 10,000 buildings per year.

“We’re not going to solve the problem right away with the lottery,” Alarcon said after the news conference. “But I wanted to do something that would make my district safer.”

The valves and installation will be funded by city-managed quake recovery money, Alarcon said.

Interested residents should call the Community Redevelopment Agency at (818) 623-2130 or (213) 977-1695. They may also write to the CRA at 5651 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood 91601.

Entries must be received by April 11 and the lottery is scheduled for April 24 at Panorama Mall.