A home is a place that has all the facilities which are required for perfect family living. It must be comfortable, peaceful, and spacious enough to accommodate your family. One of the necessities of a home is gas, whether it is natural gas supplied direct to your home or it may be in the shape of gas cylinders.
Gas is required for heating, cooking, and supply of hot water. So, you cannot think of a comfortable home without gas. But some risks and threats are associated with using gas in your home. Risks such as fire, explosion, or gas leakage are commonly associated with gas.
That’s why the safety of your home is even more important when you have gas in your home. However, you need not worry. You can safely use the gas in your home. You just need to adopt certain safety measures to lessen the gas-related risks.
Understanding Risks Associated With Gas
Gas is a highly inflammable material. It can catch fire anytime, anywhere. Apart from it, gas has various other threats as well. Let’s explore some major risks involved.
Fire
One of the major risks with gas is its ability to catch fire instantly, especially when exposed to flame. But this is not the only way it catches fire. The gas appliances used in homes such as burners, hobs, gas ovens, and so on, carry the risk of malfunctioning if not properly maintained and regularly serviced.
Any such malfunctioning appliance can cause the eruption of fire at any time. Moreover, the gas leaking out of pipelines or appliances may also cause fire eruption.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is another big threat linked tousing gas in homes. Carbon monoxide is generated due to incomplete or faulty combustion of gas. It may even lead to the death of humans if left unattended.
Any faulty gas appliance may cause the generation of this lethal gas. Being odorless and colorless, you cannot detect it instantly. It results in dizziness, headache, and fatigue in humans. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide may also result in death.
Leakage
The leakage of gas in homes is very dangerous. Leakage may occur in any faulty gas appliance used in a home. It can also leak from any improper or completely shut-down gas appliance. Gas may also leak from any pipework, especially the joints and bends.
This leakage can cause an explosion or fire eruption. It is also quite dangerous for the health of humans. It may also result in an exaggerated energy bill for your home.
Oxygen Deficiency
When gas is burnt, it consumes Oxygen and generates carbon dioxide. If there is no appropriate ventilation system, especially in your kitchen, the area may face a deficiency of oxygen and increased carbon dioxide levels.
That’s quite a dangerous situation for human health. Lack of sufficient oxygen can result in serious consequences, including death.
Home Gas Safety Measures and Precautions
While gas provides comfort in your life, it can sometimes put your family at risk. The potential risk or threats of any mishaps is only due to certain faults or non-maintenance of gas appliances. With regular and timely inspection of gas appliances, we can reduce the chances of mishaps.
Here are some useful tips that can ensure the safety of your home against any possible gas-related accident.
Periodic Gas Safety Examination
As per law, every homeowner is bound to ensure regular periodic gas safety inspections. This is a pre-requisite to get a gas safety check certificate. This annual inspection must be done by a qualified gas engineer registered with the Gas Safe Register.
Gas Safe Register is an official website regulating gas usage in the UK. Only the engineers appearing in the official list of gas engineers can do the annual gas safety check.
The registered gas-safe engineer will check all gas appliances in your home. Any fault detected in any appliance will be recorded by him, which you mustfix immediately. Once the defects have been removed, the engineer will issue the required “gas safety Certificate.”
A property that has been regularly inspected and has a valid gas safety certificate is considered safe for living in. This is not only a legal requirement but is also very important for the safety of your home against possible gas mishaps.
Regular Maintenance And Servicing Of Home Gas Appliances
Another key point for home safety against gas-related mishaps is regular and timely maintenance and servicing of all gas appliances. A gas appliance may develop any fault during its routine operation. It may be a gas leakage or generation of carbon monoxide.
Apart from the scheduled annual gas safety check, which is required to get a gas safety certificate, you need to keep a close watch on the performance of your gas appliances. If you observe any malfunctioning gas leakage or any other abnormality, you must get it checked by a qualified gas engineer.
This is very important for the safety of your home. Any fault detected by the engineer must immediately be got rectified. Even you may need to replace the entire appliance if it is irreparable. Regular maintenance and servicing of gas appliances can ensure the safety of your home.
Regular Boiler Maintenance AndServicing
Boiler servicing and maintenance are of much importance. An annual inspection and service of the boiler is a must. Boilers need extra care and attention throughout their operation. The peak usage of boilers is in the colder parts of the year.
So, it is advisable to get it comprehensively checked and serviced before the start of the extreme winter season. However, a regular watch on its performance during winter is also much recommended. In case of any abnormality, the same needs to be fixed without delay to ensure your home’s safety.
Installation Of Gas Safety Alarm System
Leakage of gas, generation of carbon monoxide, and reduced level of oxygen in a home are the most common and serious threats associated with gas appliances. Carbon monoxide is the most dangerous incidence. It is a colorless and odorless gas thata person cannot detect.
Hence it is essential to install certain gadgets and devices in your home to detect any possible gas leakage or generation of carbon monoxide. A specific carbon monoxide sensor must be installed in the home. This will alert you when the carbon monoxide reaches a certain level. This will help you to take immediate remedial steps.
Similarly, gas leakage detectors and Oxygen level checker devices can also be installed in your home to avoid unwanted gas-related accidents.
Keep The Vents Open
Never block or close the vents. Keep them open and clear of any blockage. This is extremely important to save your home from adversities of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and gas leakage. Regularly check the chimneys and flues. Remove dust or carbon particles that may have accumulated there. Keep them clean and clear of any blockage.
Additionally, try to keep at least one window open in the kitchen while cooking. Even better if you install an exhaust fan that will help throw out the hazardous gases from your home.
Appropriate Usage OfGas Appliances
Always use a gas appliance strictly by the instructions of the manufacturer. Even more important is that the appliance must only be used for the specific purpose for which it is manufactured.
Avoid using the appliances for another purpose. A common complaint is that people often use a burner or hob to warm the room. This act is not at all recommended. Never use a gas appliance for any other purpose except the one for which it is manufactured.
Conclusion
Gas is one of the necessities of a home. It is used to make a home comfortable for the families. Though under normal circumstances using gas in homes is quite safe and free of dangers but it does carry some potential risks, especially if proper safety measures are not in place.
Certain rules and regulations are imposed by the authorities in different countries, which ensure the safety of your home. Additionally, experts recommend various precautionary and safety measures that the families must follow to ensure the safety of their homes. So, it is important that you must implement these safety checks to make your home a place free of gas hazards for your family.
