Gas related incidents rise amid the ongoing gas shortage
With the arrival of winter, the usage of gas increases due to increased of heaters all across Pakistan. This leads to numerous accidents every year which at times prove to be fatal. Currently in different parts of Pakistan, we are witnessing a shortage of gas which has led to people using gas cylinders. The usage of gas cylinders have increased all over Pakistan as gas is needed for various household chores such as heating and cooking. Gas cylinders if used without proper precautions can led to major accidents and like every year, we are seeing multiple cases being reported from different parts of Pakistan due to cylinder explosions and gas leaks.
On December 20th it was reported that 10 people died and 26 were injured due to cylinder blast in a roadside hotel in Lasbela, Balochistan. The blast also caused damage to the nearby marketplace and vehicles.
On December 27th, a woman and her infant son suffered burns due to gas explosion in Dhoke Hassu, Punjab due a gas leak. The explosion happened when the woman lit a match stick without realizing the gas leak.
The biggest problem with having gas cylinders at home is identifying gas leaks. The LPG used in our homes is an odorless gas which means that even if the gas is leaking you won’t be able to smell it.
One must take the necessary precautions while using a gas cylinder. The gas cylinder should always be kept in an upright position and in a ventilated area to avoid suffocation. All the valves of the cylinder should be closed tightly after using it. In order to check for gas leaks, apply soap water around the cylinder, if the soap starts bubbling, it is a sign of gas leakage. Smoke and fire alarms should be installed in the houses and tools like a fire extinguisher should be present at your homes.