Gas leaks in a home can be very serious. For that reason, natural gas companies have taken some precautions to ensure that consumers are aware when one occurs. If you have natural gas in your home, you need to know how to detect it and what steps you should take in order to keep you and your family safe.
The Best Way To Detect A Gas Leak and What to Do About It
Natural gas does not ordinarily have an odor. The companies that supply natural gas have a component added to them in order that people can recognize a leak when it occurs. The additional part provided by the companies smells like sulfur or eggs that have gone bad.
If you notice the smell of rotten eggs, the chances are probable that you have a leak in your system. If you do not have rotten eggs in your home, you need to realize that a leak has occurred and that you must deal with it instantly.
If you have to take a proactive approach in keeping your family safe, you can use a gas leak detector which sounds an alarm should there be a leak nearby.
Here’s a good video on natural gas safety:
Is a gas leak dangerous?
When you notice the smell, you need to get out of your home immediately. Do not use any electronic devices, including anything that is wired into your home, cell phones, or computers. All of these have the potential for a small spark. Should the spark light the gas, you could have a large fire on your hands virtually instantaneously.
What to do if you have a gas leak in your home?
You need to get yourself and all other people in your home outside right away. If you have any pets, you should also make certain that they are taken out as well. The fumes from the gas are potentially lethal. Even before they reach deadly levels, the gases can cause people to feel incredibly tired and experience pains in their chest. If you feel these symptoms coming on, do not allow yourself to succumb to them. Otherwise, you may die.
After you have gotten outside and away from the building, you need to get help. If you have your cell phone with you, call the gas company and report the leak. It is a good idea to have the number already programmed into your phone. Do not take your house phone outside to make this call. It still has the potential to spark inside and create a fire.
If you do not have a cell phone, you need to find a neighbor or business nearby that will allow you to use theirs. If you notify the gas company, they will send a crew out to find the problem. You want to avoid going back into your home until the team has found the leak and stopped it.
Natural gas is one of the cleanest and safest of the fossil fuels that is used by humankind. However, when it does leak, it is potentially lethal. You need to be certain that you have taken every precaution to ensure that you can get the company to your home and keep your family and pets safe. Remember to always be aware if you smell rotten eggs and to get out and get help right away.