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Gas safety

Reticulated natural gas and gas bottles can be dangerous. Both have a rotten egg-like smell to make gas leaks easy to detect.

The emergency number of your gas company is listed on the top right-hand corner of your gas bill. Keep the number nearby in case of a gas leak.

A gas leak in a confined area can cause:

  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • asphyxiation in extreme cases.

If you smell a gas odour, stay calm and:

  • open all doors and windows
  • do not use lighters or matches
  • do not turn electrical appliances or lights on or off
  • turn your gas appliances off; if the gas is still leaking, call your gas distributor.

Call Triple Zero (000) in serious or life-threatening situations

Appliances

Get your gas appliances installed, repaired and checked regularly by a licensed gasfitter.

When buying a gas appliance, look for the following safety features:

  • flame failure devices to cut off the gas if the flame is extinguished and
  • automatic re-ignition to allow the appliance to relight itself if the flame is extinguished.

Pipelines

Excavating or digging anywhere on a property with gas pipelines can be dangerous.

To find out where the pipelines are on you property contact Dial Before You Dig —a free service that provides you with location of all relevant underground networks within two working days.

Visit Dial Before You Dig or phone 1100.

Cylinders

Your gas company will maintain your gas cylinders, but it is important that you regularly check them for damage, malfunction or a gas smell.

Portable cylinders, commonly used for barbecues and camping, must be checked frequently. They can be refilled or exchanged at most service stations.

Only cylinders with a valid 10-year stamp can be refilled.

To stay safe around portable gas cylinders:

  • secure cylinders during transport
  • do not carry cylinders in the passenger compartment
  • store your cylinders in a well-ventilated area
  • store cylinders way from excess heat and possible sources of ignition.

Public reporting of minor incidents, concerns or questions about gas safety can be emailed to: gassafe@dme.qld.gov.au.

Last updated
22 December, 2011

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