Gas Leaks: Safety and Prevention
Natural gas, in its natural form, has no odor. However, gas companies add a chemical that causes it to smell like rotten eggs. As funny as it sounds, it’s actually quite helpful in the event of a gas leak in your home. That stench alerts you quickly that there is a problem. Of course, you want to take precautions to avoid encountering that smell. Here are several things you can do to keep your home and family safe from gas leaks.
Natural Gas Precautions:
- Keep combustible material such as papers, fluid, paints and curtains away from furnaces.
- Make sure there is at least one multipurpose fire extinguisher in your home or place of business.
- Have all gas appliances, furnaces, and vents inspected every year by qualified industry professionals.
- Learn everything you can about natural gas. The more you know, the better.
Potential sources of gas leaks may include appliances, faulty piping or poor ventilation. Many appliances in your home may use natural gas or propane to create heat, including water heaters, dryers, and fireplaces. As these appliances grow older, the seals that connect their piping can rust and cause a gas leak. Gas may also enter your home from outside. In many older homes, rusted piping can become faulty and either lose its seal or break off.
Natural gas leaks can be extremely detrimental to a person’s health and cause explosions that can devastate a home or business. If you follow these simple precautions and know the signs of a natural gas leak, you’ll help keep yourself and your family safe from harm!
