Natural Gas Safety and Holiday Travel: Protecting Your Home While You're Away

With the holiday season swiftly approaching and families packing up to visit their loved ones, it is essential to take the proper precautions to ensure the safety of your home while you’re away. Natural gas safety is often overlooked in these situations, as many people don’t give it as much attention as smoke or CO safety, but natural gas leaks can pose a significant threat to your home if left unmonitored.  

We'll cover the importance of ensuring your home's safety while traveling, the risks associated with natural gas leaks during your absence, and the vital role natural gas detectors play in preventing disasters. Our step-by-step guide will help you prepare your home for your upcoming travels and give you the peace of mind necessary to fully enjoy the season. 

Understanding the Risks 

When you leave your home for an extended period, a natural gas leak can occur without your knowledge. Though you aren’t home and therefore won’t suffer the immediate dangers of the emergency, any pets or house sitters on the property are susceptible to its impacts, as well as you and your family upon returning home. These incidents can occur from: 

Faulty Appliances 

Malfunctioning natural gas-powered appliances like water heaters, stoves, fireplaces, and furnaces can develop leaks or other issues over time. If you have pets or young children, they may accidentally open the gas supply without intending to. This can lead to gas leaks going unnoticed when you're not at home to notice them. 

Aging Gas Lines 

As gas lines age, they become more susceptible to wear and tear, potentially leading to natural gas leaks. Microscopic cracks or corrosion in pipes can gradually worsen, allowing gas to escape. This can become especially dangerous if you are not around to monitor changes in air quality and allow dangerous levels of natural gas to fill the air. It would take 230 years to replace all aging infrastructure in the US. 

Atmospheric Changes 

Changes in atmospheric pressure, such as those caused by weather fluctuations, can affect natural gas lines and connections. These variations can lead to natural gas leaks that would be difficult to predict or detect without the proper technology in place throughout your home. 

The Role of Natural Gas Detectors in Remote Home Monitoring 

Natural gas detectors are invaluable tools for all homeowners, especially when traveling. They use sensors that can detect even minute traces of natural gas in the air. These detectors are equipped with alarms and typically use a variety of sensors to detect trace levels of natural gas in the air.  

Our DeNova Detect natural gas alarms use MEMs sensor technology, which exhibits exceptional sensitivity and selectivity and makes them highly reliable in detecting even minute traces of natural gas. These sensors are designed to respond quickly and accurately to changes in gas concentration, providing real-time data for prompt action. By leveraging this superior sensor technology, our 10 year 100% battery-operated natural gas alarm  detects leaks 11 minutes sooner than any competitor model on the market. 

Steps to Ensure Gas Safety Before Traveling 

Before heading to the airport or wherever you’re traveling to, be sure to take the following steps to ensure gas safety at home: 

Inspect Gas Appliances 

Carefully examine your gas-powered appliances for any visible signs of wear and tear or damage. Look for rust, loose fittings, or irregular flames (e.g., flames with a yellow or orange tint), which can indicate a problem. Also, be sure all knobs and burners on stoves, ovens, etc., are fully powered down and secured in the “off” position. 

Check for Leaks 

Some signs of a gas leak can include a hissing sound, dead plants, and a gas odor. You cannot rely on your sense of smell and these other signs alone. Most of the time, the explosions occur well before any smells are discovered. The best way to discover gas leaks is to install a natural gas alarm you can trust in your home to protect you and your family.  

Ventilate 

Ensure your home is adequately ventilated, especially if you have gas appliances in confined spaces. Proper ventilation helps disperse any accumulated natural gas and reduces the risk of a buildup. But ventilation does not completely eliminate the dangers associated with natural gas leaks—be sure to also include a functioning natural gas detector. 

Ensure Proper Maintenance 

Some natural gas detectors require regular maintenance. Most battery-operated models require you to replace their batteries annually (except for our DeNova Detect alarms, which don’t require any battery changes for the entirety of their product service life!), so make sure you’re up to date on maintenance and test their functionality to guarantee they are in working order. Consult the manufacturer's instructions for specific guidance. 

Choosing the Right Natural Gas Detector 

There are various types of gas detectors available, each with unique features tailored to different needs. 100% battery-operated detectors are easy to install and are a great choice for those who want a hassle-free, hang-it-and-leave-it solution. It is important to note that natural gas detectors should be installed within 12 inches of the ceiling to detect a gas leak sooner, as natural gas is lighter than air and rises when released. Some states are even passing legislation to mandate this, so be sure to check your local laws.  

Plug-in detectors are the worst option for homes under this law, as few homes have outlets close to the ceiling where natural gas rises and accumulates first. Additionally, plug-in alarms will not work in the event of a power outage, so if you are concerned about inclement weather posing a danger to your natural gas detection system, opt for a battery-powered natural gas alarm (like DeNova Detect!). 

Emergency Response Plan 

Even when you're not at home, it's essential to have an emergency response plan in place. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the steps to take when you receive a natural gas leak alert, either from a smart alarm or a neighbor keeping watch on your house. Share your contact information and provide them with a spare key if necessary. They can assist in checking on your home in your absence.  

Respond by shutting off the main gas supply, opening windows for ventilation, and having anyone on the premises evacuate immediately if it's safe to do so. Have contact numbers for local emergency services readily accessible. In the event of a natural gas leak, call the appropriate authorities immediately. Do not attempt to handle a serious gas leak on your own. Inform trusted neighbors or friends of your travel plans and emergency procedures.  

Remember that safety should always come first, and your emergency response plan should be communicated to all household members. For a more comprehensive strategy, read this blog outlining our recommended emergency response plan in case of a natural gas leak. 

DeNova Detect 

When it comes to safeguarding your home from natural gas hazards while you’re away, a Denova Detect natural gas alarm is the best choice. Our natural gas alarms offer cutting-edge detectors that outpace competitors by providing early voice alerts in multiple languages (Spanish and English) and virtually no false alarms. It is the first and only 100% battery-powered natural gas alarm in the United States. Rest easy knowing that your family and property are shielded by a device with a product service life of 10 years, ensuring your home's gas detection needs are expertly met.

Ready to equip your home with the best in natural gas detection? We’re here to help.  

Email us at info@denovadetect.com or visit us at www.denovadetect.com. 

DeNova Detect wishes you a happy and safe holiday season!