Top Tips for Avoiding a Natural Gas Fire

5/19/2022 (Permalink)

Top Natural Gas Fire Prevention Tips

Gas lines to your home are one of the wonders of the modern era. At the turn of the switch, plentiful gas flows into your home in a steady, controlled manner, allowing you to cook your meals, heat your home and clean your clothes. Occasionally, a gas leak occurs, leaving your home vulnerable to a gas fire. A few precautions and a little bit of knowledge can better prepare you and your family for such a scenario.

How To Identify a Gas Leak

Natural gas is colorless and odorless. To help with detection, a chemical called mercaptan is added to give gas a recognizable smell. The odor is commonly described as that of rotten eggs or hydrogen sulfide. Look for these signs to detect a gas leak:

• The sudden smell of rotten eggs
• A hissing sound coming from gas pipes
• A stove burner turned on but no flame
  
  

To prevent a gas fire make sure everyone in your home knows these signs of a gas leak. It may be helpful to children to let them smell natural gas with mercaptan so they can identify it.

How To Respond to a Gas Leak

If you suspect a leak, make a quick check of the stove to make sure all burners are off. Don't turn on any lights, as this could cause a spark and result in a gas explosion. Increase ventilation in the home by opening doors and windows. Have someone call 911 when that person is safely outside the home. If you know where your gas meter is located (normally outside of the home), try to locate a turn-off valve. A wrench may be needed to turn it to the off position.

If you do experience a gas fire, call in a fire cleanup team once the flames are extinguished. Look for a company that is Faster to Any Size Disaster and that can help with all aspects of fire recovery.