(BPT) - Over 62 million homes in the United States use natural gas for space heating, water heating, cooking, drying clothes, and more. Although natural gas usage is common across the country, many aren’t aware of the deadly explosions caused by natural gas leaks. The aging gas line infrastructure poses a danger to communities across the country. Fortunately, there are ways to help protect you, your family, and your property from catastrophic damage.
What Is Natural Gas?
Natural gas is a major source of energy for homes in the United States. Composed of mainly methane, natural gas produces 50-60% less carbon dioxide emissions than oil or coal and much less global warming emissions. While natural gas is cost-effective and easily transported to meet the country’s energy needs, despite its many benefits, precautionary measures are needed to ensure the safety of your household and neighborhood.
Explosive Danger
The United States' aging gas pipeline system, primarily composed of cast iron or other corrosive and leak-prone materials, can lead to dangerous natural gas leaks, which can lead to deadly explosions. Additional causes of gas leaks include broken dryer hoses, cracked fittings near gas meters, and more. All of these can devastate a home, its occupants, and potentially nearby buildings in seconds. These events may be more common than you realize, with around 300 significant explosions happening in the US each year. In one such February 2021 incident, at least ten people were injured after an explosion in the Bronx, including one firefighter and six children.
Sun Prairie, WI, Fire Department Chief Chris Garrison has experienced devastation firsthand in a tragic natural gas explosion that led to the death of one of his firefighters and multiple injuries within his department. “I’d like to see our homeowners having natural gas alarms, just like they do smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, to alert them if there’s an issue in their home so they can evacuate,” said Garrison. “If we have lead time where the alarm is sounded, it will help us in our response.”
How Can You Protect Yourself?
To be safe, install natural gas alarms as they offer a proven solution to the threat of gas leaks. Equipping your home with a reliable natural gas alarm can give you peace of mind and save your life.
What to Look for in a Natural Gas Alarm
When purchasing a natural gas alarm, here are the most important features to look out for:
Protecting yourself from natural gas explosions is critical, so adding a trusted natural gas alarm to your list of home safety equipment is a must. To learn more about DeNova Detect’s natural gas alarms and how they can help protect your family, your home and your neighbors, please visit www.DeNovaDetect.com.
