Gas Oven Safety

Safety procedures are important to follow when cooking with a gas oven.

Gas ovens can make for better, more efficient cooking because of the temperature control and faster heating, and moisture is added to the foods you cook if you use a gas stove. Gas ovens are also less expensive in the long run, as electric bills are generally higher than gas. However, whenever using any gas appliances there are safety concerns and procedures to be aware of.

Placing the Oven

Never store flammable or combustible materials near the gas oven. This includes mops, brooms, clothing, newspapers, magazines, books, paints, solvents, gasoline, rags, paper, chemicals, towels, calendars, curtains and cleaning products. Also make sure you do not store anything near the gas oven that would interfere with proper ventilation.

Lighting the Oven

If your gas oven requires you to light it with a match, first light the match, and turn on the gas. If the oven does not stay lit then turn off the burner and wait until the gas disperses before you attempt to light the oven again.

Gas Oven Maintenance

Always clean grease, oil, and other spills off the burners to prevent accidental fires. Make sure that your gas oven has a safety valve that you can use to turn off the oven if you ever need to. Have your oven inspected annually by a professional or by the gas company. Ask them to make sure the flexible gas line connection is installed properly. This is to prevent damage or fires from occurring if there is movement of the oven. Make sure there is proper ventilation.

Misuse

Your gas oven should never be used for anything other than cooking. Gas ovens should never be used as space heaters, or for heating your house in any manner.

Fire Safety

In the event of a fire you should not use water to put the flames out. The best thing to use to put a fire out is a fire extinguisher. If you do not have one, you should get one and place it near the oven. If a fire occurs when you do not have an extinguisher, attempt to smother the flames with a lid if it is in a pot or pan, or dump baking soda over the flames to smother them.

Carbon Monoxide

Whenever you own gas appliances there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. If there is a strange odor whenever you use your gas oven, or if you or anyone in your household experience unexplained headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting or confusion, you should take immediate action. Turn off the gas oven. Everyone in the house should leave immediately and call 911. Do not use the oven again until it has been inspected by a professional. To prevent this risk from happening you should purchase a carbon monoxide detector and have it replaced every five years.

References

• PG&E: Gas Appliances Safety
• South Carolina Gas Company: Appliance Safety