We at Zivley Law Firm have recently begun working on a case involving a natural gas expolosion in which two people were killed and one was severely injured. The house was completely flattened. It looked like a bomb had gone off. In light of my last blog recommending what to do when you are involved in a car wreck, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about the dangers of gas leaks because the consequences can be devastating.
Natural gas does not have color or odor. The gas company puts a chemical in the gas so you can smell it and avoid the dangers of leaks. If you smell something like rotten eggs or a skunk you may have a gas leak. Once you smell this odor, whether the smell is faint or strong, the safest thing to do is leave the house immediately. Go to a neighbor’s home or get a safe distance from the house and call your gas company. If you do not know the number call 911. Before you leave the house DO NOT light a match, flip a switch on or off, operate any appliances or use the phone. Also, do not unplug any electrical devices because this may spark an explosion. If you are smoking put your cigarette out immediately. Do not try to turn off your gas meter yourself. Wait for the gas company to tell you when it is safe to go back into your home. Make sure your children understand these safety principles also.
Our firm has been involved in other gas explosion cases which you can view on our website at zivleylaw.com . We are very familiar with litigating these types of cases and would like to speak to you free of charge if you have any questions about this type of case or any other personal injury case.