Gas accidents are one of the leading causes of death around the globe. Unfortunately, many of us are unaware of gas safety. Be it a kitchen or a fireplace, ensuring gas safety is important at every corner of the house.
Corroded pipes, gas leakage, and mistreatment of the appliances can result in a sudden outbreak of fire. Besides this, carbon monoxide leakage is life-threatening. Every homeowner should create a comprehensive plan for dealing with gas emergencies.
If you have no clue about gas safety tips, do not worry. Read this article to find out every detail about it:
Table of Contents
1. Obtain a Gas Safety Certificate
Getting a gas safety certificate is a legal requirement. This certificate ensures that all the gas appliances in your house are safe to use. The validity of this certificate is 12 months, after which, you need to renew the certificate.
As far as the cost is concerned, it depends on your location, home size, and the number of appliances. Bearing the cost of gas safety certificates in East Sussex, Hampshire, West Sussex, and in many other states is the responsibility of the landlord. When signing a home agreement, always ask the landlord for this certificate.
Here is how you can get a gas safety certificate:
- Call a gas safe company to obtain a certificate
- The company will send a certified engineer
- The engineer will inspect the gas appliance and give recommendations
- Get the repairing or exchange service done
- Obtain a certificate
Furthermore, check the card of the person who will arrive for the inspection. Remember, only a certified person can carry out this inspection. Gas certificates come in various packages so research thoroughly and opt for the one that comes with long-term benefits.
Stay Aware About the Symptoms of Carbon monoxide Poisoning
As we all know, carbon monoxide leakage can be fatal for us. Gas safety engineers ask to watch out for these signs when there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The leakage occurs when fuel doesn’t burn properly. In some cases, there are no noticeable symptoms of the gas. However, you should know about the common symptoms, which include:
- Whistling sound near the gas pipes
- White clouds
- Dead plants
- An unexpected hike in gas bills
Additionally, it can cause several problems like pale skin, chest pain, breathing issues, dizziness, drowsiness, etc.
2. Install Carbon monoxide Detectors
Thankfully, carbon monoxide detectors are easily available in the market. You can install them in every room, or as per the location of your gas appliances in your home. These detectors create an audible sound whenever there is a leakage.
When you hear the alarming sound, do not panic. Instead, shut down the gas supply immediately and call a gas engineer. You can opt for one of the three types of alarms. These include the plug-in alarm, battery alarm, and combination alarm.
3. Tell Everyone About the Shut Off Valve
Unfortunately, many of us do not know about the shut-off valve location. In case of an emergency, we search here and there. Due to panic, we are unable to locate the valve and end up in danger.
Therefore, make sure to know the location of the valve. It’s better if all adults in your family know where the valve is present and also know how to shut it off.
4. Check Ventilation
Gas appliances need proper ventilation and their air vents should always be clean. Try to check the air vents every month and do not place any furniture near the appliances. Anything else that can block the air vents is dangerous.
If you notice the dirty vents, you can clean them at home or call the gas engineer for service. Many gas safe companies provide service facilities after the gas inspection. Therefore, never forget to check this feature when you want to obtain a gas certificate.
5. Never Try the DIY Tricks
Though many DIY tricks are present on the internet, refrain from trying them. Even a minor mistake can turn into a huge danger. Gas leakage can be deadly and it can put the life of your family members in danger. Therefore, avoid this risk.
Alternatively, paste a paper of emergency contact numbers on any wall. It will help you and other family members to contact the gas safe company in case of an emergency.
6. Avoid Misusing the Appliances
Many people misuse their appliances, which is the biggest mistake. For instance, we should never use the stove to heat the room. Moreover, we should avoid using appliances if they show warning signs.
Condensation, yellow flame, or stains are some common warning signs that require immediate action. The appliances may still work properly but there is a huge risk attached to it. Using such appliances also results in bringing a financial burden as such appliances are hard to repair.
Therefore, you need to keep an eye on every appliance. Whenever you notice some warning signs, call an expert and get it fixed. You just need to pay the repairing cost otherwise the cost of getting a new appliance is much higher.
7. Create a Comprehensive Contingency Plan
Only a few of us create a contingency plan for our house safety. This plan is highly important as it presents an action plan in case of any danger. Involve every member of the family in it so that each member knows what to do.
Here are some important things to cover in this plan:
- Decide a place where all family members will gather in case of danger
- Assign roles to each member
- Tell children to reach their adults and never go near the gas appliances
- Tell adults to open the windows and doors of the house immediately
- Tell everyone to evacuate the house as soon as possible
Wrapping It Up
All in all, gas safety should be the prime responsibility of every homeowner. Tips like obtaining a gas certificate and installing alarms help us stay safe from gas accidents.
Additionally, maintenance of appliances, knowledge of the shut-off valve, and creating an emergency plan are essential. By following all these tips, we can significantly reduce the probability of gas dangers in our house.
Stay safe!
Shoaib provides ghostwriting and copywriting services. His educational background in the technical field and business studies helps him in tackling topics ranging from career and business productivity to web development and digital marketing. He occasionally writes articles for gas safety certs.