EMERGENCY AND SAFETY INFORMATION - IN CASES OF GAS LEAKS, FIRES, BURNS, POISONING.

With utmost grief, I have been sharing my experience with my friends and well wishers, that our neighbor recently caught in the fire of gas leakage of the domestic stove and now under treatment with major burns in ICU in a corporate hospital but this is what happens when you don't know fire safety. This incidence has pushed to a sense of frustration and animosity on the events happening on the domestic front.

In spite of so much awareness campaigning going on regarding fire accidents it's very unfortunate that they have been repeating time and again. Most fires can be prevented with common sense and simple fire safety techniques.

In the event of a gas leak or suspected leak

1. Stop the gas flow at the container - for tanks, turn off the Tank Emergency Shut off valves (there will be two of these for tanks with liquid off takes, ie., where it is used for filling vehicles or cylinders); for propane cylinders, turn off the cylinder alive; for butane cylinders, turn off the regulator.
2. Turn off all naked flames and eliminate all sources of ignition BUT do not turn electrical switches on or off.
3. If the leak is indoors, open all windows and doors, to disperse the gas.
4. In the case of cylinders, disconnect the cylinder and move it outdoors to an open area.
5. If the leak cannot be stopped or a significant leak has occurred, evacuate the premises.
6. Contact your installer and contact 24 hour emergency service

In the event of fire

1. Contact the fire brigade (dial 101) and advise them that an LPG container is on the premises.
2. Turn off the gas supply at the LPG container if it is safe and practical to do so.
3. Evacuate the building
4. Contact 24-hour emergency

In the case of Carbon monoxide poisoning

1. The symptoms are drowsiness and headache, in extreme cases a tendency to stagger and nausea.
2. Remove the victim to fresh air immediately and obtain immediate medical assistance.
3. If breathing is inadequate, start mouth to mouth resuscitation.

Article By Dr. Yashoda Tammineni HOD, HSE Department at NIFS