Worried About Gas Leaks at Home?
Natural gas can help power stoves, warm a room, and much more. However, gas leaks are dangerous because they are odorless and invisible. To avoid the harmful side effects of gas leaks, it’s important to be vigilant.
Some signs of a gas leak:
- Smell –Because it is odorless, natural gas is given a strong sulfur odor so that it can be immediately recognized.
- Pilot Light – Check to see if your boiler’s pilot light keeps blowing out, as this might be an indication of a gas leak.
- Color – Check to see if your pilot light or gas rings are yellow or orange instead of their normal blue color.
- Health – If you feel dizzy or unwell inside the home, but fine outside, you may have a gas leak.
If you smell it, respond immediately, but do not panic. When a gas leak is detected, have every occupant of the building evacuated to a safe distance. Once everyone is safe, contact your gas utility or another certified professional using their emergency hotline. It is important that experts find and fix the cause of any leak as quickly as possible.
When you have help on its way, there are a few other things you can do. Only re-enter the building if you are confident that the leak is small, and then only at your own risk. For large leaks, civil emergency authorities such as the fire department should also be contacted. If you know where it is, you should turn off your gas supply at the shut-off valve. This is usually located near your gas meter. You may also ventilate the building by opening doors and windows.
The best way to deal with a gas leak is to prevent one from happening at all. The best way to prevent gas leaks is through annual inspections. Many home heating professionals offer this service. Make sure that the person you choose to inspect your home is properly certified. For older homes, it may also be a smart investment to upgrade the gas piping to meet today’s safety standards. Replacing older gas appliances with newer ones that have modern safety features will help ensure the safety of your home and property. This is especially important for gas furnaces.
In both cases, plan ahead: know what you will do and keep emergency phone numbers handy.
What to Do in the Event of a Gas Leak in the Workplace
- If you smell natural gas in the workplace, alert your manager so he or she can instruct all employees to leave the area.
- If you are the manager, instruct employees to exit the premises and call the correct people for help.
- As with any potential gas leak, do not touch electrical appliances or bring your phone near the leak (it’s electrical, too).
- Do not, under any circumstances, re-enter the space until you and your co-workers know it is safe to do so.
Suspect you may have a gas leak in the Mustang and Oklahoma City area? Contact Hull Plumbing, your gas leak specialist, today at (405) 246-9763.
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