Natural Gas Safety Tips

At Carabin Shaw Law Firm, our attorneys understand that an explosion or a fire can be catastrophic. Because of this, safety to prevent this occurrence is essential. Below are a few tips in order to keep you and those you love safe.

Companies add an odorant as a safety precaution to natural gas because it has no odor of its own. The distinctive odor intentionally smells bad to signal a possible gas leak. In the event you can smell this distinctive smell, here are some safety tips:

• Don’t use your phone.
• Don’t switch on anything electrical.
• Don’t turn on a light.
• Call your gas utility from your neighbor’s house or another location.
• Don’t light a match.
• Alert others and leave immediately.
• Tell the gas utility where you are so you can let them in your house when they arrive.

If an explosion/fire has already occurred and it was due to a natural gas leak, call our team of explosion/fire attorney today to help you get the compensation you deserve. The reason you and your family may not have been able to smell propane gas before the house exploded could be because of one or both of the following:

• “Odor fade.”
• The propane was under-odorized;

“Odor fade” (no more smell) happens when there is either:

1. Absorption into the lining of the tank; or
2. Oxidation of ethyl mercaptan caused by iron oxide in a storage tank.

The absorption and oxidation is faster with a new tank, and slows down over time after several fillings. The following must be done to avoid this:

• The propane must not be allowed to sit unused ; and
• When a tank is filled, particularly a new tank, it must be filled to or about 80%.

Safety of our clients and the public is our general concern, but know at certain times safety tips can only go so far. The explosion lawyers at Carabin Shaw are ready to fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve and are not paid unless you win. Call us today at 800-862-1260

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