• Always take care when using your gas appliances to ensure that no paper, clothing or any type of flammable materials are situated near the burners.
• Never operate a natural gas appliance on any other type of gas as this can be extremely dangerous.
• It is essential to ensure that all gas appliances are serviced regularly and according to manufacturer’s scheduled recommendations.
• Never allow fat and food residue to accumulate on a gas oven and its hot plates, as this can present a fire hazard.
• Ensure that all of the permanent ventilation openings are not blocked before using a gas appliance.
• Always press the ignition button or light your match before turning on a gas burner. If the burner doesn’t want to light, turn the gas supply off and wait until there is no more gas smells in the immediate vicinity before attempting to light the appliance again.
• Gas heaters must always be turned off completely before you go to bed or leave the house for any length of time.
• Don’t tamper with safety valves or other similar fixtures on gas appliances and never use excessive force to open the taps on them.
• Never turn the gas setting up to full before lighting an appliance.
• Main burners and pilot lights should emit a flame that is blue. In cases where flames are yellow or red, call a licensed gas appliance repairperson or the manufacturer immediately.
• Always check the appearance of radiant heaters while they are in use. A flame that is visible beyond the immediate surface of the tile could mean that the appliance is faulty. This could cause carbon monoxide to accumulate inside your home.
• Always exercise caution when using any older gas appliances or those that have not been serviced recently. If an acrid smell is present, shut off the appliance immediately, have everyone vacate the room and ensure that it is well-ventilated afterwards. This odor could indicate that there is a build-up of carbon monoxide, which can be fatal.
• If your gas heater is not functioning as it should or its flue is not removing pollutants from your home, the level of combustible products inside your home can become too high. This can cause tiredness, headaches, dizziness, weakness and confusion. If you suspect that these symptoms are being caused by your gas appliances, refrain from using them until they have been attended to by a licensed gas appliance repairperson.
When it comes to gas appliances, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you require assistance or you would like to find out more about the benefits associated with using gas appliances, give the team at the Gas Log Fire Company a call on 1300 373 745. We are able to service an extensive range of wall furnaces, gas space heaters, gas log fires, central heaters, hot water services, ovens and cooktops.
