15 Gas Stove Safety Tips Every Family Should Know
Avoid health risks and other hazards.
Many people prefer a gas stove, as compared to an electric one, because they heat up instantly and have better temperature control. You can also cool the burner down much more quickly just by turning off the flame. However, with all of those benefits, there are also gas stove safety tips that everyone should know about.
Emissions from gas stoves are posing some serious hazards, according to a recent statement by the chair of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Alexander Hoehn-Saric.
Research shows that gas stoves raise the risks of worsening asthma and increasing lung disease. Currently, the CPSC is looking for ways to reduce these indoor air quality hazards. Although there will not be a push to ban gas stoves, Hoehn-Saric states, "CPSC is researching gas emissions in stoves and exploring new ways to address health risks. CPSC also is actively engaged in strengthening voluntary safety standards for gas stoves".
However, it's not only this newest concern, there are several other hazards as well with using a gas stove. To help combat these air quality concerns and other risks, it is important for the consumer to follow these 15 gas stove safety tips to keep their family and home safe.
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15 Gas Stove Safety Tips
It's easy to think about an open flame, on a gas stove, as having some potential risks—but most of the harmful risks come from the gas itself. Natural gas, used to create the flame, contains harmful chemicals. And if there is any leakage when the stove is not in use, it could be toxic, which is one major reason why practicing safety is so important.
1. Don't Let the Burner Run Without Ignition
Sometimes when you turn a burner on, the gas doesn't ignite right away. You may hear a clicking sound while you are waiting for the flame. The longer you keep the burner on without a flame, the more gas can seep into the air. If the burner doesn't ignite right away, there are some steps you can take to clean or repair the igniter.
The key is to not let the burner stay on for more than a couple of seconds without a flame. If you end up smelling gas, make sure to open a window and leave the room. And, always make sure all of the burners are turned all the way off when you are finished cooking.
Related: New Research Shows Gas Stoves Could Be Leaking Toxic Chemicals—How Worried Should We Be?
2. Keep the Stove Clean
To avoid getting clogs in the burner, it is important to clean your stove on a daily basis. This means also taking out the burners and washing them with soapy water. If the burner’s holes are blocked by food debris or grease, use a toothpick or other sharp object to clear it out.
If the burner holes get clogged, the burner may not ignite right away and cause gas to leak.
3. Monitor Carbon Monoxide
A gas stove will emit carbon monoxide which is colorless and odorless. Unless you have a carbon monoxide detector, you won't know if the level of carbon monoxide in the home is too high. Install a carbon monoxide detector in the kitchen so that you will be alerted right away if there's a problem.
Related: Should You Travel With a Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector?
4. Use a Range Hood
A range hood that vents outside will help to get rid of any dangerous gases. It's best to keep the range hood on during any cooking.
5. Keep Vent Holes Clear
Do not block air vent holes and do not cover the vent holes at the bottom of the oven with foil. The unit needs to be kept clean so that gases don't back up into the home but instead go straight outside.
Not only is important to keep vent holes clear to eliminate leaking gas but when a gas stove isn't properly vented, it has the risk of exploding.
6. Maintain the Range
Make sure to have the range serviced right away if it is showing any signs of trouble. Some things to watch out for are:
Burner flames are not blue
The burners or pilot produce soot
If your carbon monoxide detector shows increased levels of carbon monoxide
If you smell gas - leave the house and call the gas company
7. Install a Fire Extinguisher
Having a fire extinguisher in or close to the kitchen can be a lifesaver if something happens to catch on fire from the burner.
8. Never Open an Oven Door To Heat the Kitchen
Opening the oven door disrupts the airflow pattern, and high concentrations of carbon monoxide may be produced. Besides letting carbon monoxide into your home, an open door can also melt the control knobs or damage the controls.
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9. Use an Air Quality Monitor
Similar to a carbon monoxide detector, an air quality monitor will pick up carbon monoxide levels as well as additional pollutants like radon, particulate matter, airborne dust, mold and mildew. It will let you know when any levels are too high.
10. Keep Inflammable Materials Way from Stove Top
The flame from a gas stove burner can burn materials that are in close proximity to it. Things like plastic or wood utensils, cloth pot holders, wrappings or towels should all be kept at a safe distance from the stove while cooking.
It is also best practice to keep things off of the other burners that are not being used.
11. Install a Smoke Alarm
Every kitchen should have a smoke alarm. Although they can be annoying if you happen to burn a lot of food when you are cooking, they are invaluable in detecting a fire before it happens.
12. Do Not Wear Loose Clothes While Cooking
Some things to watch out for while cooking are wide sleeves on blouses, baggy shirts or long hair that is not tied up. All of these have the potential for hitting the burner flame if you're not careful.
13. Use Cookware That Matches the Flame Size
It is important that the bottom of your cookware covers the flame when it is turned up to its highest. This means that the fire should not escape from the bottom to the sides of the pans.
14. Watch Your Pan Handles
Keep the handles of cookware to the side while cooking so that they don't protrude over the floor. This will eliminate the risk of knocking the utensils over and spilling hot food everywhere which not only makes a mess but would be a burn hazard as well.
15. Periodically Check the Gas Lines for Leaks
Since most gas suppliers will add a potent smell to the natural gas, you should be able to smell it if there is a gas leak—the scent will be similar to a rotten egg smell. Another quick check is to turn on the burner. If the flame is blue, there is not a leak. However, if the flame is red or orange, it indicates a problem and you should call the gas company to have it checked.
If you are ever suspicious of a leak but don't notice a smell, you can also do a soap test. Mix a solution of a teaspoon of dish detergent with one cup of water. Apply it to wherever you suspect a leak, like a connection, and look for bubbles to form that indicate escaping gas.
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