Last week, a local family feared for their lives when their Thanksgiving celebration was abruptly and violently interrupted by a gas explosion at their South Dallas home. Although the exact cause of the explosion that destroyed the guesthouse and caused significant damage to the main building is still under investigation, it seems timely to discuss the safety of natural gas in the home.
gas fireplace safety
It's finally getting cold enough to cozy up by the fireplace, but if you have a gas fireplace, it's important to practice some natural gas safety precautions.
Inspector Alex suggests keeping the charming gaskie out of the reach of children. This is a great tip. If autopilot is not turned off, always make sure the gas is completely turned off when turning off the flame.
It is also important to install a carbon monoxide detector within range of your gas fireplace. Unlike wood-burning fireplaces, it's not obvious if a fire hydrant isn't working, so without a monitor, you could unknowingly fill your home with toxic gases like carbon monoxide.
How to check for gas leaks (and how not to check)
What you can see there is a very old gas pipe connected to a leaky radiator. What you see in this photo is because it somehow ignited. Probably because the person who took the photo thought it would be funny to light it up. This isn't fun, and it's not a good way to check for gas leaks. (This image is from a plumbing forum, not an inspection.) So if you smell gas, it's no surprise (although obviously it's not). do not try to start a fire.
If you have gas appliances in your home, it's not a bad idea to get one of these useful tools: a gas sniffer. If you smell gas, you can use it to find the leak and know whether to call a plumber or the gas company.
You can see our inspectors using gas sniffers and other examples of how to detect gas leaks in your home here.
Have older equipment inspected by a qualified plumber
If your home or appliances are more than 30 years old, you may have uncoated brass gas connectors that are potentially dangerous and need to be replaced. These were commonly used in construction from his 1950s to his 60s. Some uncoated brass connectors have defects where the tube meets the end piece. They can easily crack or tear, potentially causing natural gas leaks, fires, and explosions. In the video you can see the brass connector activating the gas sniffer, indicating a leak.
For more information about gas safety in your home, check out Atmos Energy's Home Safety Guide. If you suspect a natural gas leak, call 911 from a safe distance and Atmos Energy's 24-hour toll-free emergency number, 866-322-8667.
For more information about the recent gas explosion south of Dallas and how you can help the families, click the link to the article.
