Opinions of Thursday, 19 January 2023

Columnist: Alby News Ghana

What you should never do when using gas cooker to avoid an explosion

The introduction of gas stoves was one of the many innovations sparked by technical advancement in recent years.

Instead of going outdoors to gather firewood for cooking, you may now cook peacefully inside your home on gas stoves.

Gas ranges are highly effective since they save you the trouble and time of having to burn firewood while you cook.

Gas cookers have several downsides in addition to their many advantages.

Because of negligence, a gas burner that has immensely benefited people has also contributed to several premature deaths.

Gas, the third state of matter, is extremely combustible and may seriously harm an environment if exposed.

There are various advantages and disadvantages to taking into account while using a gas cooker, so it all relies on how you use it. A gas cooker needs to be used carefully because if not, it could be fatal.

If you don't suffer risks from gas cookers, you should avoid the following items:

1. Keep your gas cooker close to flammable material.

This is among the things you should avoid the most when using a gas cooker.

Hazardous compressed gas cylinders must be kept at least 20 feet away from materials that can easily catch fire, like wood, paper, oil, and grease. Furthermore, make sure the valve on the empty cylinder is closed.

Properly store gas cylinders when not in use. Avoid doing this since it can trigger a dangerous explosion.

2. Cooking in an unventilated place with cooker gas.

Ventilation is important when using a gas stovetop. Since gas cookers are designed to be used in ventilated locations, they shouldn't be utilised in small rooms with inadequate ventilation.

When gas doesn't burn properly, dangerous gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides are created.

Although gas can easily and safely leave a properly ventilated environment, it can occasionally leak without your notice, so try to cook in a well-ventilated area.

If your room doesn't have enough space for it, you can use it outside first.

3. Using an electric device near a gas cooker.

A gas cooker might be hazardous if it is used adjacent to an electric appliance. Never answer a call when in the kitchen close to a gas source for cooking.

When using a gas burner, try to avoid using your phone because if there is an unobserved gas leak and it gets hot, a short circuit could occur and produce an explosion when it mixes with a little arc of electricity. You could lose your life if you make this mistake, so avoid it.