Knowing how to stay safe around natural gas is very important. Many fire accidents happening in American homes are caused by gas leaks. If you use gas for cooking and heating your house, you need to be aware of the important steps to take when you have a gas leak.
This will help you to prevent serious fire accidents before they happen. Continue reading to learn the quick steps to take when there is a gas leak in your house. But first, let’s look at some of the most common signs of a gas leak.
Signs and Symptoms of a Gas Leak
Although the easiest way to detect a gas leak in your home is to smell the odor of natural gas, which smells the same as rotten eggs, some small gas leaks might not have a smell. So, you have to look for other physical signs to know there is a leak. These signs include:
- A hissing or whistling sound near the gas line
- A white or dust cloud near the gas line
- Bubbles in water
- A broken gas pipe
- Dead houseplants
- High unexplainable gas bills
- Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
Steps to Take When Detect a Gas Leak
Open Doors and Windows
When you smell gas in your house or office, open all windows and doors to clear out the gas. But you shouldn’t open the windows and doors if the leak source is outside the house. Doing so will expose you to more gas. So, open the doors and windows when you are sure that the leak is inside.
Don’t Turn On Electronics or Light a Match
Once you detect a gas leak in your house, don’t try to switch any of your electronics on or off, including your cellphone, lights. Also, do not strike a match stick or light up a cigarette. If you’ve already lit a cigarette, put it off or throw it in water immediately. Even static electricity is deadly in such situations.
Turn Off the Gas Meter
To prevent further gas leakage, you should turn off the gas meter. Typically the gas meter is located outside the house, so you should access it easily without putting yourself in danger.
Leave and Call Emergency
Once you’ve turned the gas meter off, leave the house and call 911 and the gas company. By calling 911, you will be notifying emergency responders to get to your premises as fast as possible and avert any serious accidents. You should also notify your plumber for repairs.
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