9 Safety Tips When Using Gas Appliances
Natural gas is the most common energy source in many homes today. It's a safe, eco-friendly, and efficient form of energy. It's also affordable compared to other alternatives.
For this reason, many households and industries have switched to this form of energy source in the recent past. However, using natural gas comes with a few safety concerns.
Natural gas is highly flammable, and if anything goes wrong with the system or an appliance, it could result in hazardous situations. If mishandled, natural gas can cause severe injuries and even death through explosions and fire. It can also cause health risks such as asthma to your loved ones.
According to reports by CDC, 4 million people die annually from illnesses caused by indoor air pollution. Therefore, you must uphold natural gas safety precautions in your home.
Here are several natural gas safety precautions to protect you from potential dangers.
1. Install A Vent
Gas releases carbon monoxide in appliances such as water heaters, gas fireplaces, gas furnaces, and dryers. Hence, these appliances need to have vents for proper aeration.
Ranges and gas ovens are designed to use gas efficiently. Thus, they don't need a venting system.
On the other hand, a malfunctioning venting system could lead to carbon monoxide leaks. If you suspect any signs of leaking carbon monoxide, you must stop using these appliances and have them checked by a technician immediately.
2. Maintain Your Gas Appliances
Your gas appliances need regular maintenance services from a professional to ensure they're in good working order. These maintenance services include running tests, identifying faulty parts, and checking for leaks to ensure the safe operation of the appliances.
The technicians carry out minor repairs during these routine services, thus preventing them from worsening, which would cost you more to repair. Malfunctioning appliances expose you to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and even fires.
3. Use Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors are essential for homes that use natural gas as a source of energy. These gadgets help detect carbon monoxide's presence as it's invisible, odorless, and colorless.
When gas appliances malfunction, they release it, which harms your health. It can cause breathing problems and other severe physical symptoms such as loss of consciousness and even death.
There are a variety of smart home devices that can ease your worry.
4. Practice Safe Cooking
Ensure your kitchen is well-ventilated by opening windows or doors while cooking with natural gas. It's best to keep flammable items—such as plastics and pan handles—away from the flame as they can easily catch fire.
Watch what you're cooking as the flames could escalate, causing spills that can extinguish the burner leading to gas leaks.
But gas leaks aren’t the only thing that could cause accidental kitchen fires. From fats to grease, and even hot cooking oil, are also flammable enough to quickly set your kitchen ablaze.
Especially for commercial kitchens, this is why it’s important to ensure a property is installed with fire systems designed for your specific needs before settling in. It allows for safe, worry-free cooking!
5. Beware Of Odor
Natural gas smells like rotten eggs. It's typically odorless, but companies add chemicals like mercaptan to give it a distinct and perceptible smell. This substance helps to detect leaks.
If you notice that smell, leave your house immediately and contact your natural gas provider.
6. Store Combustibles Safely
It's essential to store combustible materials—such as gasoline, paint, paint stripper, solvents, and varnish—away from gas appliances. They can trigger gas-related accidents since gas produces heat capable of igniting them.
It's also recommended that you shut off gas appliances when using these materials because their vapors can cause them to ignite. Always ventilate the area properly when you use these products.
7. Locate Your Shut-Off Valve
All homes have a main shut-off valve for the natural gas system. In an emergency, you must close this valve before vacating your house.
Turning off the valve cuts all the gas supply into your home, mitigating further leakages.
8. Store Your Cylinder Safely
Store your gas cylinder in a well-ventilated place, preferably outside but not under direct sunlight or near other heat sources. Always ensure that the cylinder is placed vertically on a firm surface.
Never roll it horizontally, and make sure the regulator and valve are within easy reach for better operation. Please turn off the cylinder whenever it's no longer in use for your safety.
9. Keep Your Children Away From The Gas Cooker
You must keep gas appliances away from children's reach as they can be mishandled. It would be best not to let teenagers cook without supervision, as they can be careless and cause gas-related accidents.
Double-check that all gas appliances are turned off after use to avoid leakages. When gas knobs are not turned off properly, they can continuously release natural gas, filling your home and creating a hazardous environment for your family.
Final Thoughts
These are just some tips that can help keep you and your family safe from gas-related hazards.
Keep in mind these simple safety tips to protect your family from gas-related accidents.
It also helps to get your appliances inspected by professionals to be on the safe side.
