How To Avoid a Fire During a Natural Gas Leak

10/24/2018 (Permalink)

If you smell gas in your Liberty, MO, home, it could be a sign that there is a leak. This type of leak could put you at risk for a gas fire. Avoiding a fire may be difficult, but it can be done. Consider these five tips if you ever have to deal with gas leakage, but remember that it may be safer for you to simply evacuate your house and call emergency responders.

1. Avoid creating a spark

When natural gas fills your home, the smallest spark could start an explosion. You can avoid causing sparks by not turning lights on, using candles or making calls on a cellphone.

2. Start airing out the space 

 If the gas is not allowed to build up in your home, you may lower your risk of a gas explosion. Opening doors and windows increases the ventilation and helps the gas dissipate.

3. Check obvious sources

If you have time, you can check some obvious sources of a natural gas leakage. This usually includes appliances that run on gas. Stoves are the most common culprit as it is easy for someone to bump a burner on accident.

4. Turn off the gas

When you hear a hissing sound or smell rotten eggs, you can turn off your home's gas. The valve is usually located by the meter.

5. Know the signs of a leak

Before a gas fire can happen, there usually has to be a leak. You can avoid the fire if you can put a stop to the leak quickly. Common signs of a leak include hissing air, blowing dirt, rotten egg smell and bubbling puddles.

It may not always be possible for you to avoid a gas fire. When the unexpected happens, you need to know who to call for help. A residential fire cleanup crew can help you get your life back to normal.