With no mains gas for many hundreds of miles bottled gas is the only alternative for keen cooks. But the local practice of locating bottles inside the kitchen could put you and your family at risk.

Gas bottles are generally placed near to cooking hobs in the kitchen in many kitchens in Turkey because of the cost of siting gas bottles outside. But this can lead to the deadly risk of gas escaping and building up into potentially explosive levels in your home.

Take heed of our tips and stay safe.

Gas Safety Tips

Low Pressure Gas (LPG) is colourless and odourless. To make it even safer to use, a very strong smell is deliberately added so that in the event of leak you will be able to identify it.

If you smell gas, never check for the leak with a naked flame. Don’t turn on electrical lights as the small spark generated could ignite the gas.

LPG is heavier than air so the gas tends to spread at ground level.

Open all doors and windows to allow fresh air into the room. Turn off the valve of the cylinder and remove the regulator from the bottle, if possible, move it outdoors. Allow enough time for all the gas to leave the room before re-entering.

When the smell has completely gone, take the cylinder to your nearest LPG dealer and have them check it professionally.

When using a large gas appliance (room or water heater for example), make sure the room has good ventilation. Leave a window or door in the room open or better still locate the bottle(s) outside.

Regularly check the rubber seals (washers) on the valve and appliance. Also, check the jets on your appliances and the connecting hoses. If they are worn, don’t attempt to repair them yourself. Take your cylinder and appliance to your nearest LPG dealer for a safety check.

If your cylinder has been involved in a fire, don’t attempt to use it. Have it checked by your dealer.

When lighting your appliance, always light the match or lighter first before turning on the gas.

Before using your appliance for the first time, read the manufacturer’s instructions.

The regulator and hose are supplied with your appliance and should be regularly checked by your nearest gas shop.

Never store your LPG bottle near a direct source of heat (such as an oven, heater, fire or direct sunlight). LPG expands when hot and this can sometimes damage the valve, the hose or the bottle.