DO’S AND DON’TS

Because gas is a dangerous element, here are a few safety tips that can help you prevent a fiery tent or even an explosion on holiday. Use the correct pipes. A piece of garden hose isn’t good enough for connecting your gas stove to the gas bottle. Always make sure the pipes are proper cooking gas pipes and that there are no tears or cracks. Leaks usually appear in a pipe or hastily done connection. Open spaces. It’s dangerous to breathe in large quantities of gas. To prevent this, always make sure that it is stored and used in a space with good ventilation. So closing all your bakkie’s windows and then switching on your gas stove inside it is probably not a good idea. Other way round. Gas bottles’ valves and taps turn in the opposite direction to other taps. Always bear this in mind if you decide to suddenly close the gas valve because the flames are too high. You might just cause them to jump higher. Close everything. If you’re finished cooking, close all valves and taps. Don’t be complacent and think that one closed valve in a gas line is enough. It’s also a good habit to get into so that you know you need to open all the valves again next time you want to cook. Pack in your kit. Gas cylinders are manufactured and transported according to strict quality control and inspections. Don’t decide to fix something quickly yourself. The professionals are there for a reason. Also, don’t try and lengthen the gas pipe yourself without the correct equipment. Flames first. To reduce the likelihood of singed eyebrows (or worse), always make sure your match or lighter is burning before you open the gas valve. As soon as you open it, the gas will ignite, and the longer you take to light the match, the more gas there will be filling the space around the stove, which could result in a huge fireball when you do eventually bring an open flame near it. Damage is dangerous. If your gas bottle sits fastened to your bakkie’s roof year-round, check regularly that the metal isn’t being damaged somewhere. Any scratch mark that goes through the paintwork could mean big trouble. Inspect your bottle often, and if you see any damage, have it checked out.