Follow these tips to ensure your safety when operating or installing gas appliances in the home.
Gas Safety Tips at Home
While gas is a very safe way to power household appliances, from heaters and hot water systems to cooking and outdoor appliances, it can also pose a risk when not handled properly. Like electricity, safety measures should be taken to minimise the risks of using gas in the home.
Operating Gas Appliances
Only use gas appliances for their intended purpose and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For example, don’t use your oven to heat your room or for drying your clothes. Clean your gas cooktop and oven regularly to prevent the build-up of spilled fats and burnt foods, which can increase the risk of fire. Being sure not to become distracted whilst cooking in the kitchen is also important.
Never tamper with safety valves or other fittings and avoid using excessive force to open or close gas control knobs. Turn off your gas heater when you leave the house and never leave it on overnight. Always supervise young children near gas appliances and keep clothing and paper items away from the area.
Reducing Fire Risk
Follow these additional tips to reduce the risk of fire around your gas appliances:
Keep petrol and other flammable products away from gas appliances
Avoid spraying aerosols near operating gas appliances
Don’t store chemicals or pressure packs near gas appliances
Always turn off pilot lights before using tile adhesive, solvents or other flammable products around gas appliances
Installing Gas Appliances
When getting a new gas appliance fitted and installed, ensure you buy safe appliances, certified by a body such as Vipac, Global-Mark, IAPMO, SAI Global or the Australian Gas Association (AGA). Use a licenced gas fitter or plumber to install your new appliance. You should also ensure the appliance is suitable for its intended use. For example, you should never connect an LP gas appliance to your natural gas supply unless it has been converted by a licenced gasfitter.
Servicing Gas Appliances
Regular gas appliance servicing and maintenance is important for the safety of your family and home. Hire a licenced gas fitter to service gas appliances according to the manufacturer's guidelines, or at least every two years.
The servicing and maintenance processes involve crucial checks for issues such as:
Air filters, air ways and fans blocked by lint and dust
Carbon monoxide leaks
Worn out or failing safety controls
Burners in water heaters or space heaters that may have become blocked with dust or lint, sooting up the heat exchanger and flue passageways
Interested in Getting Natural Gas in Your Home?
If you’re wondering “is there gas in my street?”, check your natural gas availability by address here. At Jemena, we provide quality gas services with a network covering millions of homes in Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast, Wollongong and rural New South Wales.
Contact us to connect your gas today.