How to prevent gas leaks in the home

The news often reports domestic accidents due to gas leaks, which can have very dangerous and sometimes fatal consequences. Air saturated with carbon monoxide can lead to death within minutes, especially if people are caught in their sleep. The presence of gas then leads to the risk of explosions and subsequent building collapses.

To prevent a gas leak, there are a few installation maintenance regulations and some simple behavioural rules to follow:

• Have a regular boiler inspection carried out by a qualified service engineer.

• Do not use the same flue for more than one system, to prevent carbon monoxide from re-entering the house through another opening.

• Replace the tube supplying gas to the cooker every 5 years (the expiry date is printed on it)

• Turn off the gas cock when you are away for a few days, or shut off the gas canister every night for devices that use it.

• Make sure that the gas knobs are tightly closed, especially in the case of older hobs; in newer models the hobs automatically cut off the gas supply if the flame goes out. Another measure we can take is to install safety detectors, which warn of any leakage by means of an acoustic or light signal.

What to do when you smell gas in the house

Natural gas has no specific odour in itself, but thiols are added artificially precisely to signal sudden and dangerous leaks.

Therefore, if you smell gas in your home, you already have an early warning bell to follow and avoid dangerous repercussions. Although the first instinctive move would be to search for the source of the leak, it is recommended to take the following precautions immediately:

• Open all the windows so that the rooms are well ventilated. The gas is dangerous when it stagnates and saturates the air in a room as it can lead to explosions or fires as well as to carbon monoxide poisoning. Opening doors and windows by ventilating rooms is therefore a first way to avoid these dangers.

• Immediately shut off the gas meter valve in order to stop further gas leaks from damaged pipes or valves.

• Switch off the electricity meter, to avoid inadvertently switching on a light or a device that can cause an explosion.

• Protect your nose and mouth with a cloth or clothing to reduce the risks of inhaling gas; try to leave the house as soon as possible.

How to remedy a gas leak

If the cause of the leak is easy to solve, such as a loose bolt, then you can go ahead and remedy it yourself. If, on the other hand, the gas leak is caused by pipes that need to be replaced or by damage to the system that requires more complex work, it is advisable to rely on a qualified service engineer, whose intervention becomes essential if the source of the leak cannot be identified.

With the Protezione Gas 360 service, you can protect your home from the risks of accidental damage or gas system malfunctions that can lead to gas leaks. Thanks to this two-year service, you can have

• Two free repairs per year for your gas installation, worth €250 each (VAT included), to be requested via a dedicated call centre at the toll-free number 800.900.860, available 7 days a week.

• An insurance policy that reimburses the instalments of the gas bill in the case of unforeseen events affecting work and health, up to a maximum of €450 per event.

• Access to a network of technicians at preferential rates for plumbing, electrical, gas, heating, air conditioning, locks and windows.