Natural Gas Safety Tips to Minimize Gas-Related Dangers & Accidents

Many residential and business premises use natural gas to power appliances, such as stoves, dryers, furnaces, and water heaters. Natural gas is ranked as the purest fossil fuel worldwide as it only produces water vapor, carbon dioxide, and fewer nitrogen oxide components.

Though natural gas is essential, it can be hazardous if not used properly. However, familiarizing yourself with these natural gas safety tips, can help you evade the risks and accidents associated with it.

This energy source is highly flammable, and any leaks at home can spark a fire or poison your body. Therefore, homeowners must learn basic first aid to respond faster to such emergencies.

This article will help you discover several ways to use at-home natural gas safely. It will also explain how to detect gas leaks, the dos and don’ts, and the most appropriate steps to prevent them.

10 Crucial Natural Gas Safety Tips to Safeguard Your Home

Knowing the various ways to prevent natural gas leaks and other associated risks can save many lives.

Practical natural gas safety tips can prevent incidents in your home and in different settings with appliances that use natural gas.

Here are the ten ways to avoid natural gas dangers;

1. Learn how To Detect Gas Leaks

One of the most crucial things to monitor when using natural gas appliances is telling whether it’s leaking or not. Most pipes and other appliances using this gas can leak; therefore, it’s best to know the signs and odor associated with gas leaks.

Besides gas leak detection, it would be best to know what steps to take to safely and effectively address the issue. The best approach to take after detecting a natural gas leakage is to contact 911 as soon as possible. Next employ basic first aid skills to rescue any victims.

Some of the usual natural gas danger signs include:

1. A rotten egg smell

Natural gas in its natural state is typically colorless and odorless. However, gas companies usually include odorants that make it smell like a rotten egg or sulfur, allowing everyone to identify it easily.

If you notice a highly pungent rotten egg smell, then the probability that the appliance is leaking is also very high. In some cases, you can smell a slight gas leak when lighting your grill, which is usually rare, especially if you’re using efficient grills made within the past ten or so years.

Ignoring gas leakage is extremely dangerous because of its adverse effects on living things, the atmosphere, and humans. It can destroy vegetation, produce greenhouse gases, and cause an explosion.

2. An increase in gas usage, higher than your usual usage

In normal circumstances, homes usually use natural gas for a specific period before needing a refill. When you realize a drastic drop in your natural gas usage period, it might indicate gas leakage.

In some standard cases, you will notice an increase in gas usage when using it with appliances that use more power, such as gas furnaces. However, if you lack an explanation for increased natural gas use, then there’s a higher possibility that it’s leaking.

3. When you experience physical signs related to gas poisoning

Various symptoms can help you know if you’re exposed to a gas leak. Some of the symptoms you’ll observe when you’re exposed to a low amount of natural gas are; fatigue, nausea, dizziness, nosebleeds, drowsiness, headaches, and breathing difficulty.

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Symptoms associated with a higher exposure level include severe headaches, suffocation, memory problems, lack of concentration, fatigue, pale skin, and chest pain.

Your pets can also be affected when placed in an environment with a gas leak. Some of the signs they’ll experience include appetite loss, lethargy, breathing difficulty, and vomiting.

In case you detect any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact 911 or a healthcare expert immediately.

You can also practice basic first aid skills to improve the quality of your response to such conditions.

4. A hissing sound

A high-pressure gas leak in appliances or pipes can produce a hissing sound. One best natural gas safety tips is always checking your device to ensure it’s not creating this sound

5. Stunted, dying, or dead plants in your home

If you’re taking good care of your plants and notice that they’re drying, it can be because of a natural gas leak. Natural gas usually prevents the root of a plant from taking in oxygen, which eventually leads to wilting. It can also cause the grass to become yellow and trees to have smaller leaves than their usual size.

2. Installing Carbon Monoxide and Natural Gas Detectors at Homes

Sometimes it’s hard to know when natural gas leaks, especially in lower concentrations. Some individuals who have poor smelling capabilities may not even detect high concentrations of gas leaks.

Installing natural gas detectors is among the best natural gas safety tips for your home. These detectors will always alert you whenever there’s a gas leak, regardless of whether it is in high or small amounts.

The purpose of carbon monoxide indicators is to alert you whenever natural gas or fossil fuel burns improperly.

3. Regularly Inspecting Household Devices That Use Natural Gas

Conducting regular inspections on all your appliances or devices that use natural gas in your home is among the top natural gas safety tips that you should consider using. Doing so helps to prevent and identify any gas leaks before it’s too late.

Most manufacturers usually provide a manual or instructions to help users know what they should check plus the frequency of checking them for safe, natural gas utilization.

4. Know How to Turn off Natural Gas Properly.

All homes using natural gas usually have a shutoff valve installed outside the house. It’s best for every household member to know the shutoff valve’s location and how to turn it off appropriately.

Knowing how to turn off natural gas appropriately can help prevent further exposure, particularly during a gas leak emergency.

5. Enlighten Your Kids about Natural Gas Safety and Keep Them Away From Natural Gas Storages

Teaching your kids about the safety, dangers, and natural gas characteristics are important natural gas safety tips for any home. Help them know how to detect a gas leak, smell, effects, and the best approach to take when exposed to natural gas at home.

You should also ensure that they’re always away from natural gas appliances or any gas source that can expose them to danger.

And lastly, acquire some basic first aid skills to respond to any gas leak emergencies.

The Do’s & Don’ts if Natural Gas Leaks in Your House

Understanding the do’s and don’ts of a natural gas leak is equally crucial as detecting a gas leak, and its symptoms. Here are the dos and don’ts when natural gas leaks occur in your house;

The Dos

1. Leave the house

Evacuating the home should be the initial step to take in case of a natural gas leak in your residence. Doing so minimizes the exposure level and the risk of getting hurt if the leak causes a fire.

2. Keep the house windows and doors open

As you evacuate the building, remember to open all your house windows and doors to allow the gas to escape outside the house.

3. Look for professional help

After everyone leaves the house and is in a safe place, you should contact assistance from a local fire organization, call 911, or an emergency service dealing with gas leaks.

Meanwhile, you can employ basic first aid skills to rescue any victims.

The Don’ts

Another important natural gas safety tip is understanding what you shouldn’t do when gas leaks inside your home. Below are various steps you should avoid in case of a natural gas leak;

1. Don’t attempt to identify the leakage source

Avoid looking for the gas leak source if you notice that your natural gas is leaking. Trying to find the cause will expose you further to the gas and cause severe effects in your body. It would help if you left the premises as soon as possible.

2. Don’t repair the cause of the leakage by yourself

Repairing a gas leakage by yourself can cause more damage than good or put you at more risk. You should call for assistance from a professional to guarantee safety.

3. Avoid using electronics while in the house

You should avoid using electronic devices while in a home exposed to natural gas. Examples of these devices include light switches, cell phones, or any other machine with a battery.

4. Don’t light up open flames

Using open flames when gas leaks in your home can ignite a fire or an explosion. Such explosions are usually intense and highly destructive, so kindly avoid lighting open flames during gas leaks.

More safety tips to consider include:

  • Don’t close your house windows and doors
  • Don’t stay indoors
  • Don’t ignore any gas leak incident.

Conclusion

Natural gas is a cost-effective and safe energy source when used correctly and cautiously.  Understanding the various natural gas safety tips, and learning basic first aid tips is the key to ensure safety at home.

With the above tips, you can significantly enhance natural gas safety in your home and prevent risks associated with natural gas leaks.