What is a Gas Leak?
Gas leaks can occur anywhere, and they can be dangerous. According to Energy Savings.com, they can occur when something is “incorrectly fitted, poorly maintained, or [has] faulty gas pipes and household appliances.” Gas can leak if the appliances are not properly installed, like “the seals or hoses connected the cooker, boiler, HVAC system, stove, or other instruments in your area’s gas pipes”.
These leaks can be dangerous for you and your family. ADT.com states that “they can build into an explosive concentration. They can kill vegetation and trees, cause explosions and fires, and might release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere”.
How to Spot a Gas Leak
There are a few ways that you can spot a gas leak in your home. There might not always be a physical sign or a smell, so you can look for any “damaged gas pipe, dead houseplants, and if a smell is present, it’ll be rotten eggs and sulfur. Near the gas line, you might see a white or dusty cloud, and a whistling or hissing sound.”
If you are doing any yard or house work, or having that work done on your home, you should make sure to be careful to watch for gas pipes. If a gas line has broken, and you have not noticed any physical signs, you will also notice an increase in your gas bill. If you notice an unusual spike in your bill, you might want to check on the pipes.
Not only can gas leaks potentially lead to explosions or damage to your house, they can hurt you as well.
Physical Symptoms of a Gas Leak
You might notice symptoms of a gas leak physically. Here is a list of gas leak symptoms you can experience:
- Ringing in your ears
- A reduced appetite
- Pain in the chest
- Nosebleeds
- Blistering or pale skin
- Flu-like symptoms
- Dizziness
- Breathing difficulties
- Lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
Your pets can also be affected by a gas leak, so try to pay attention if they are “vomiting, having breathing difficulties, lethargy, or loss of appetite.”
You might also have carbon monoxide poisoning, which symptoms are similar to gas leaks, but you could also experience:
- Red lips
- Pink skin
- Nausea
- Lack of muscle control
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Chest Pain
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness
If you have experienced any of these symptoms, you should seek emergency medical help as soon as possible.
As you are at home, make note of how you feel in every room or when you leave your house. If you get headaches when you come home, there could be a gas leak.
What To Do For a Suspected Leak?
If you believe that you have a gas leak in your house, there are a few things that you can do to protect yourself. ADT.com says “turn pilot lights off, open your windows, and contact your gas company. They’ll tell you what to do and whether the gas meter needs to be turned off.”
If there is a very strong odor in your home, do not stay inside. The gas is volatile and can cause an explosion, especially if you turn on or off lights or light your stove. You should leave your doors open, and make sure you have gotten all your family members and pets out. Once you get to a safe location, you should call your utility company.
Do not try to repair the gas leak yourself; just wait for the professional to help you.
After a gas leak, make sure that you have aired out your house before you go back inside. And check with professionals before you start using your appliances again.
How to Prevent a Gas Leak?
If you have natural gas appliances, keep your children away. You also should make sure that you have safety meetings to warn them about gas leaks and how to notice a problem. You should make sure to keep all flammables and chemicals away from any gas appliances.
You can also get monitors and detectors to put around your house, so you can be warned the minute a leak happens.
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