In light of the recent gas explosions in Kaohsiung and Xindian, which took the lives of 31 people and injured over 300, we should all be taking extra precautions with gas-run appliances in our homes.
The most prominent dangers caused by gas leaks are carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, and explosions.
Carbon monoxide is an extremely harmful, even lethal, substance that cannot be seen or smelt. When poisoned, you will experience hallucination, nausea, and a shortness of breath. These were all the symptoms Dr. Arturo Meneses from Pacific American School in Hsinchu felt when he himself had a terrifying experience with carbon monoxide poisoning.
“The gas leak was caused by my water-heater, which is enclosed on my front porch,” Meneses said. “The incident was partially my fault because of my ignorance of gas powered water heaters.”
To prevent from being poisoned by carbon monoxide, install carbon monoxide alarms in your home so that you will be notified if the carbon monoxide levels in your home become abnormally high.
All appliances that operate on gas should be checked by qualified engineers annually to ensure that they are still functioning properly.
“Gas powered water heaters should always be outside or in a place where there is plenty of ventilation,” Menesis advises. “If ventilation is difficult, make sure to open your windows when you need to take a shower or run hot water.”
Using your appliances in ways they were not designed to be used, such as heating up the stove for warmth, could be extremely dangerous.
The moment you smell gas, you should immediately turn off all appliances and open windows and doors to let it out.
If you cannot find the source of the smell, call for help and make sure you do not turn anything running on electricity on or off.
Meneses explains that “the key is preventing this before it even happens, because once you begin to feel the effects of this poison your mind will barely acknowledge that you are in trouble.”