A gas explosion is a fairly common occurrence today. Despite the constant warnings on central television, radio, and simply on the streets of the city, more and more often the cause of fires is a gas leak. That is why it is recommended from early childhood to educate children in the proper use of electrical appliances and a gas stove.
Why does gas smell and what happens?
Natural gas in itself is odorless. The man came up with the idea of adding various impurities to it - odorants, so that a leak could be easily detected. Thus, we are protected not only from possible domestic gas poisoning, but also from more unpleasant consequences, such as a gas explosion and even death.
Rules for the operation of gas appliances
In order to prevent the explosion of domestic gas in your home, be sure to follow the simple rules for operating devices. This will allow you to protect the apartment from unpleasant consequences, and possibly even save your life.
- If your house does not have a central gas supply and you use cylinders, then be sure to store them outside the apartment or in a special box.
- Measure the strength and color of a gas flame. In a normal case, the fire should be blue (by no means yellow) and moderately strong.
- Never leave the gas on when leaving home. Even if you went to a neighbor for a spoonful of salt, it is better to turn off the stove to avoid accidents.
- Regularly inspect gas equipment. Of course, not on their own, but by calling specialists.
- Do not allow children to operate household gas appliances on their own and remember that the consequences of a gas explosion are often very sad.
What to do with a gas leak?
If you suddenly find that the apartment smells of gas, first of all you need to open the windows and doors to ventilate the room. Be sure to cover your nose and mouth with a damp scarf or scarf to avoid loss of consciousness. Try to breathe less so that less gas gets into your lungs.
After you have provided good ventilation of the housing, it is necessary to block the pipes and call the gas service by calling the general number 04 or the telephone number indicated at the entrance and wait for the arrival of specialists. It is important not to try to fix the problems on your own and not to use matches, electrical appliances and other objects that could lead to an explosion. It is not recommended to even turn on the light if the smell is very strong.
If it smells of gas in the stairwell
It is worth remembering that an explosion of domestic gas can occur not only in you, but also in your neighbors. Therefore, if you feel this unpleasant smell, be sure to call specialists and warn the neighbors. If they were not at home, try to contact by phone, because a gas explosion in the house is a tragedy that can touch the entire floor, or even the whole entrance! No one is safe from this.
How to detect a leak yourself?
After you open the windows for ventilation, you can try to independently detect the place of gas leakage, if the smell is not strong. There are several ways to do this. One of the simplest is tactile. Run your wet hand over the nozzles of a burner or gas bottle. The gas is colder than air, so if you feel cold, then a leak has been detected, and possible measures must be taken to eliminate it.
The second option is a soap solution and a brush. Similarly, punctures are usually found on tires, air mattresses, balls, etc. Apply a soap solution to the surface where you suspect a leak. If gas escapes there, then you will see bubbles.
Gas leakage sensors
Today, there are many ways to protect yourself and your home. Mankind has invented various fire detectors, security alarms, and radio sensors. But few people know about special equipment that helps detect gas leaks. By the way, there are a lot of options for such devices, which allows you to choose protection for every taste, size and wallet.
An electronic sensor is a simple device that plugs into a wall outlet and, when a leak is detected, gives a light and sound signal. Such equipment is very inexpensive, but has its drawback - it is useless when a power outage occurs.
The battery sensor is somewhat similar to the previous colleague, with the only difference being that it has an internal battery that lasts well for up to 48 hours without power. Of course, the price of the battery sensor is slightly higher than the usual electronic, but the safety of your home is more important.
Sensor systems are a whole range of protection for your home. In such a device, a fire alarm and a gas leak detector are combined, which allows you to kill two birds with one stone. The only negative of such equipment is its price.
Remember, a gas explosion is an extremely dangerous accident that has claimed thousands of lives around the world. A slight oversight may cost you dearest. Take care of yourself and loved ones.