Question

You are alone at home, talking to your friend on the telephone when you suddenly get a strong smell of cooking gas coming from the kitchen. What will be your first reaction?
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Answer 1

Explanation:

• Determine the danger. The safety of people is always the first thing to consider, so heed the following first of all:

1. If it is difficult to breathe or the smell is very strong or you can hear a loud sound of escaping gas leave the kitchen immediately and get any other people out of the building.
2. Do not turn on light switches in or around the kitchen. Do not turn any electrical switches on or off, including doorbells.
3. Do not use matches or any other naked flames.
4. Do not use the bathroom as this triggers more gas.
5. Do not smoke.
6. Understand the signs of gas leaks, including

• Strong "Rotten egg" smell
• Hissing or whistling noise
• Spraying dirt, dead or dying vegetation

• Call the emergency services. Use a neighbor's telephone for emergency help. Do not call from within your house and never use a cell phone or portable phone within the house if you suspect a gas leak. If you need to use a cell phone, go to the neighbor's house to use it.

• Open doors and windows. Do this only if you can breathe easily and the smell of gas is not overpowering and you cannot hear a loud sound of escaping gas.

• If you know how, turn the gas supply off at the meter or mains box.

Do not turn the gas supply back on until the

gas company instructs you to do so.