Landlords or paying guests, everyone wants to be safe in their homes. And although we do not pay much attention, natural gas could be a problem for you.
From warming home to cooking, most people in the USA depend on natural gas. Exposing themselves to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. For a secure home, here’s a list of 10 great safety tips you might want to know:
Ten Tips to Ensure Your Home is Gas Safe
In this blog, you will learn what to do in case of smelling gas or having emergency safety precautions and an annual gas safety check:
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Annual Gas Safety Check
According to Health and Safety Executive, if you are a landlord, you are responsible for your property’s gas appliance being serviced annually. But if you are a homeowner, it still might be a good idea to have it checked.
A gas safety check includes a gas-safe registered engineer to check all your gas appliances’ installation and ensure safety from leakages.
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Gas Safety Certificate
This is an Annual Safety Check for gas works; carried out by a registered gas-safe engineer. We recommend checking your engineer’s ID card to know if they are qualified. Unqualified engineers may expose your house to more risks.
What is a gas safety Record? A document, also known as a ‘cp12 certificate‘ that your engineer provides after installing, repairing, or inspecting all the gas appliances in your house, indicates that these appliances are safe to use.
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Check the Ventilation of Gas Appliances
All gas appliances should have proper ventilation. If you use a direct vent heater, confirm that it has complete ventilation and is not blocked. In the case of a vent-free heater, verify that the automatic shut-off switch is working.
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Maintain Your Pilot Light
Many appliances have a pilot light as a source for ignition or to keep the flame going. In cases like maintenance, the pilot light is switched-off intentionally. But if it is accidental, it may cause gas accumulation in the area, taking time to become noticeable.
The modern appliance has a safety feature of automatic shut-off valves to stop the gas flow. Previous or early gadgets did not have this feature, so you manually cut the gas flow. Wait for 5 minutes to let the gas disperse before relighting the pilot.
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Install a CO Detector
Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas and is difficult to detect if there is a leakage. Therefore, as a safety precaution, it is good to consider installing a CO detector. They sense the leakage of Carbon monoxide and set off an audible alarm which can save you and your family from unrealized severe damage.
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Boiler Inspection
Boiler Inspection includes safe installation, operation, and repair of any boiler. It is a thorough internal as well as external inspection. We recommend performing an Inspection every 12 months to certify that your boiler is working safely and efficiently.
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What to Do in An Emergency?
Natural gas is highly flammable, resulting in an explosion if unnoticed. In case of a gas leak, open all the doors and windows and turn off the gas valve control. Leave the house immediately and call the utility company’s emergency number from a far and safe place.
Never leave any symptom or an unusual smell unnoticed, act immediately, and don’t begin using your phone from inside the house. Do not try to locate the source of the leak yourself or turn the light on or off. Avoid using lighter, candles, or other sources which may cause ignition. It’s better to stay calm in such a situation than panic and do the wrong things.
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Natural Gas Detectors
A gas-safe engineer can install a gas safety alarm. They detect when the natural gas levels at your home exceed the edge of safety with an audible alarm.
To keep your home safe, buy an audible alarm and install it in the ceiling, do make sure to keep the batteries checked. With these steps, you can protect your family from exposure to gas leaks and their consequences.
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Moving Into a New House?
When moving to a new house, it is better to check all the appliances for any hissing sounds, clunking noises, marks, cracks, or leaks to verify that they are safe.
Ask the previous tenants or landlords for a gas safety certificate and a boiler certificate. In case of any symptoms, it is better to get inspected by a registered gas safe engineer.
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Signs of a Gas Leak
Carbon monoxide or natural gas; though different but both show some physical symptoms indicating a leakage. Some signs include:
- Hissing sound near the appliances
- Bubbles in standing water
- In case of an outside leak, dust blowing from the ground on a windless day
- The smell of rotten eggs
- Dead houseplants
Physical symptoms may include:
- Breathing difficulty
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Chest and abdominal pain
- Headaches
- Reduced appetite or nausea
- Ringing in the ear
Natural gas exposures are rare. If the leak isn’t addressed early, the symptoms persist and exhibit:
- Depression
- Mood disorder
- Respiratory Problems
Takeaways
Carbon monoxide – a product of natural gas- is a silent killer. It’s an odourless and colourless gas that enters the body through the lungs and disrupts blood circulation leading to injuries or even deaths.
CO is only a problem if the appliance at your home is old, not inspected annually, and may be causing a leakage.
The key takeaways to guarantee your family’s safety are;
- Install a CO and natural gas detector. Take all the safety precautions, and don’t forget to maintain your pilot light.
- Educate the family on what to do in case of an emergency. Your children should know about gas safety measures.
- Schedule a regular inspection. Be it a boiler or gas pipelines and appliances, necessary to have them checked at least once a year.
- Ensure adequate ventilation. Keep a fire extinguisher on sight and keep all the combustible materials far away from gas appliances or gas lines.
In case of smelling any gas leak or seeing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s best to call an emergency hotline and inform others about the leak. Your actions may lead to the safety of your home and loved ones.
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