If you ever find yourself in an unfortunate situation of having a gas leak in your home or office, it’s important to keep calm and not panic. While it’s imperative that you take safety precautions when it comes to gas leaks, knowing exactly what to do about them will help put your mind at ease in case of an emergency. Here are some steps to take if you have a gas leak in your home or office:
Identify if there’s a gas leak
The first step if you suspect a gas leak is to call your local utility company and report it. Then, depending on whether or not there are any obvious signs of leakage, it’s smart to make sure you and anyone else in your home or office leave immediately. Be sure that all lights, electrical equipment and appliances are turned off before leaving. It’s also essential that you shut off your natural gas-powered water heater before leaving your home.
Call your emergency hotline
Call your local emergency number if you detect a gas leak. In most countries, 911 is used as an emergency number and will put you through to fire services. The majority of times, people are unable to smell natural gas due to its odorless properties, so it’s imperative that you call as soon as possible. Natural gas leaks are an extremely dangerous situation that can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and explosions.
Turn off gas meter valve
A gas leak could be caused by something as simple as a loose or damaged pipe. If you suspect that you have an active gas leak, turn off your home’s gas meter valve immediately. This will stop additional fuel from flowing into your home and causing further damage. Don’t risk injury – call a professional instead!
Know what else can cause similar symptoms
A gas leak can be harmless, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. To prevent any accidents, try not to use anything that could produce an open flame. Things like flashlights and cell phones do produce some heat, but they won’t ignite gases as quickly as something like a cigarette lighter. When you hear your carbon monoxide detectors going off, get everyone out of your home or office immediately and call 911.
Call your gas company
The first thing you should do is call your gas company (if you think you have a gas leak at home or at work.). This step is most important when it comes to finding out if there’s actually something wrong with your gas supply.
Take Immediate Action
When you suspect that there is a gas leak, it’s important to act quickly. Even if you’re not able to find an exact source of gas (that may be because it’s emanating from underground pipes), turn off your pilot lights and any other sources of gas, as well as your appliances.
Unplug any electrical appliances and leave them unplugged until they can be checked by professionals. A local fire department or utility company should be able to assist you with locating underground leaks.
Close all doors and windows in the room
If you notice signs of natural gas in your home or office, like a strong smell or an unusual hissing sound, immediately leave the area and alert any others who may be around. Shut all doors and windows to keep natural gas from spreading through your home. Open up all faucets: This will allow for more air circulation, which will help dissipate natural gas throughout your home.
Leave the area immediately
As soon as you smell gas, get out of there! Gas leaks can happen in your home or office at any time, but they’re particularly dangerous when you’re asleep. Since you might not be able to tell where exactly it’s coming from, experts recommend leaving immediately once you smell gas. Get out of your house or office and then call emergency services. Depending on how serious it is, they may turn off your main supply before inspecting things further.
Once you’re out, don’t go back inside until it’s safe
To make sure you don’t cause any more damage, it’s best not to re-enter your home or office until gas has been safely turned off and any structural damage repaired. The National Fire Protection Association recommends contacting your local fire department and leaving your property until they arrive. If you must go back inside during an emergency, such as if your child is still inside, use extreme caution.
First Aid for Potential Injuries Caused by Gas Leaks
Not all gas leaks lead to an explosion, but if you suspect that there is a leak in your home or office, you should shut off your gas immediately. Once you have done so, call 911 and make sure that everyone else has left the area. Once they are out of harm’s way and emergency personnel have been notified, place wet towels under any doors or windows that may be close to where gas is leaking (you don’t want it blowing into any other rooms).
Do not attempt to light a match inside your home until professionals arrive because matches could spark explosions if they come in contact with leaking gas.
If you suspect your home or commercial space has a gas leak? 1st, Call your emergency right away hotline to ensure the space is safe. 2nd, once the problem has been diagnosed, and deemed safe to return, get in contact with Bulldog Rooter to begin assisting with any damages, repairs or replacement needed to your Gas Line.
