Gas leaks can occur in your home due to faulty, poorly fitted, or badly maintained appliances like boilers and cookers. They can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, explosions, and fires. While large leaks are easy to identify by smell, small ones can go undetected for long periods and harm you in the process. It’s highly important for you to know the different gas leak signs, what to do if you detect a leak and how to prevent them.
How do you detect gas leaks?
Watch out for the following telltale signs of a gas leak.
- A strong smell of gas inside your home
- A hissing or whistling sound that’s coming from the area around your air conditioner or gas lines
- You feel lightheaded, nauseous, dizzy or ill, and the symptoms disappear when you go outside into fresh air
- Too much condensation on your windows
- Bubbles in moist areas of your home
- Dirt getting thrown into the air
- Gas appliances having a yellow or orange flame
- Plants outside your home dying for no apparent reason
What should you do if you find a gas leak?
When you detect a leak, you need to act quickly. Start by opening up some doors and windows then getting away from the area. Evacuate your family and pets from that area as well. Once everyone’s a safe distance away from the area, call your utility company. As you wait for help to arrive, don’t operate electricity or use matches, lighters, or appliances.
How can you prevent gas leaks?
The best way to deal with gas leaks is by preventing them from occurring.
- Have your household appliances installed by an accredited professional
- Inspect the appliances for wear and tear regularly and schedule professional maintenance
- Install a carbon monoxide detector in an open space in your home such as a hallway. Change its batteries annually
Knowing how to identify and prevent gas leaks helps you enhance the safety of your home and its occupants. To learn more about gas leak signs, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services. We serve the Dayton area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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