Cooking gas, look out for leakages, fires

6 months ago

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Christmas is here and cooking is going to be the order of the day.

Many homes continue to witness scares culminating from gas usage including leaks, kitchen fires and explosions of some sort or even weird smells from gas left on when not in use.

According to Honest Turyamuhaisa, a Pearl Energy gas cylinder selling agent, using gas for cooking is one of the most exciting things for any family because it saves time.

However, she says if not used with proper care, gas can be very dangerous not only to the one using it, but also to those around and their property.

She says homeowners must consider proper safety tips.

First, she says one should look to hiring experts to help with installations.

Turyamuhaisa says gas, if not installed properly, can easily result in leakages causing the cylinder to burst.

"A gas stove is not like those that use electricity. It uses gas, which means that you have to see an open flame to know it is working. As gas is turned on, it flows out through a tube connected to the gas stove and is powered on to cook. If the gas was not installed properly or if any of the fittings get loose, chances for cylinder leakages are high resulting into deadly fires,’’ Turyamuhaisa says.

Taking care

In addition to seeking expert advice, Turyamuhaisa implores homeowners to undertake proper maintenance procedures, including switching off the stoves once it is not in use.

Turyamuhaisa says this not only reduces gas wastage but also minimises chances of the gas smell circulating around the whole house.

"After installation, let the experts occasionally carry out visual inspection of the pipework and also look out for any possible leaks. Also, one has to ensure that there is adequate aeration in their kitchens. Place them near an open door or window. Avoid placing them close to other heat sources. Also, remember that even when empty, these cans can still have minor residual gas leakages. They should be placed in an upright position,’’ he adds.

Signs of a leaky gas canister

Even in situations when the cylinders are used or installed properly, it is common for leaks to develop with time.

Majorine Namaganda from Total Energies says gas leaks, if not noticed early, can easily result in fires.

Namaganda says one can tell there is leakage if one senses the smell of gas in the house.

She says at times, sounds can also be overheard near a gas lining of the cylinder holding these gases.

"Once you notice this, ensure that everyone is out of the house and then switch off anything electric to deter any sparks that might arise. Open doors and windows to allow the gas to first dissolve,’’ she advises.

She maintains that as you call for expert help, do not forget to shut down the cylinder's regulator valve to stop the leakage.

If the situation persists with flames coming out of the equipment, you can use a large cloth like a blanket to smother the flames and cut off oxygen supply.

Proceed to manually disconnect the regulator from the cylinder.

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