Safety Precautions For Using Gas Appliances

Looking at safety measures for using gas appliances

More often than not, we come across safety concerns associated with using gas appliances in our households. The question always arises, is gas safe to use? Especially in homes where there are kids. Because of this, people tend to become skeptical to buy gas appliances.  It’s no secret that gas appliances are flammable and require self temperature control and can potentially be a fire hazard, but the truth is once you cook on a gas stove there’s no turning back. And with safety precautions and correct usage in place, your concerns can be eased and you will be able to optimise the performance of your appliances.

This article will explore the safety measures you should put in place when using gas appliances and the importance of regular maintenance for safe operations. 

How to mitigate the risks associated with gas appliances 

If you happen to have any gas appliances like a gas stove, heater or freezer in your home it’s important to understand that there are health risks associated with them, but you can still protect yourself and your family. People sometimes want to cut costs when they switch to gas in order to escape load shedding struggles. While this may be convenient, it’s important that you are aware of measures that will help to keep you safe.

Tips to keep your and your family safe

Always check for leaks in your gas line: any kind of leaks can easily cause a fire or an explosion. A toxic fume known as carbon monoxide poisoning can also occur in your home when gas does not burn properly. To practice caution, regularly check for any leaks or disconnection in the gas pipeline. If possible, get a professional to come and inspect your gas system and carry out risk assessments to ensure that your appliances are safe to use. 

Ensure safety equipment is in place in case of emergency: ensure that you have a fire extinguisher to use at home in case of an emergency. It might be worth considering installing a smoke alarm in your home to detect a fire to give you and your family an early warning. In a case where you are using a gas stove, always wipe the surface after cooking oily food. Grease splattered on the stove can easily spark a fire. Clean your stove regularly. 

Keep inflammable objects away from gas appliances: the common mistake people make is to leave things laying around unused gas appliances. This is a hazardous practise especially in cases where there are kids because when a flame is in close proximity, it can easily spark a fire. To practise safety, make it a habit in your home to keep things away from gas appliances.  

Double check to ensure that appliances are switched off: always check that appliances are turned off after use regardless of who was using them in the house. For example if you leave the gas stove on, it will continue to release natural gas which can be toxic and lead to  carbon monoxide poisoning.

Make it a habit to open doors and windows: try to get used to opening doors and windows while you cook. This will ensure that no toxic fume forms in your home. Make use of this practise every time you use gas appliances. Also use air-purifiers to improve the air quality and reduce the level of nitrogen oxide in your household. This will create a non-hazardous environment for you and your family.

What experts have to say

Gas appliances can be made safer. If you have gas appliances, you can lower the risks associated with it. Ventilate your home as often as you can by opening doors and windows. Do this to avoid the fresh air from diluting the concentration of air pollutants. Try switching to an electric gas instead as most gas companies have that option nowadays. For example, instead of using a gas stove as a default to cook your family dinner get a gas stove with electric oven and cook some of the food using the oven.

Why regular maintenance is needed

Safety of your family: this should be the main priority for every household because gas can be dangerous. Ensure that you maintain a healthy environment in your home to prevent toxic poisoning from polluting the air. 

Reduce repair costs: People don’t often talk about the costs to repair a broken gas appliance. This happens because of a lack of maintenance on your side for the appliance. If you are not maintaining your appliances regularly, you are likely to pay more for repairs.

Efficiency in your appliances: gas appliances perform well when serviced often. Regular maintenance is needed to ensure that your appliance operates to it’s optimal capacity. This will also help to increase the lifespan of the appliances.

Provide you with peace of mind: knowing that you don’t have to constantly worry about things going wrong with your appliances can reduce your stress levels and anxiety. When your appliances are in a good working condition it means you won’t have to worry about any breakdowns, leakages or cost repairs. Having a peace of mind will enhance your overall quality of life. 

Benefits servicing your gas appliances

Servicing your appliances regularly can help to reduce risks and increase performance. It will also help you detect problems early before they pose a risk and become a problem. Neglecting appliance maintenance can lead to expensive repairs in the future, or in worst case scenario result in appliance replacement. So by taking care of your appliances you can avoid these unexpected costs and save money.    

Alternatives

A solution to consider is switching to solar appliances such as inverters if you wish to replace your gas appliances. Gas & Solar has a range of solar refrigeration options to keep your food and beverages cool even during load shedding. They also have hybrid inverters to provide you with backup power during blackouts. Visit gasandsolarappliances.co.za today to explore safer options for you and your family.