Add gas safety to your holiday checklist

Queenslanders are encouraged to follow some simple gas safety checks to ensure portable gas appliances don’t ruin their camping, boating, or caravanning holiday.

Minister for Resources Scott Stewart said gas safety checks shouldn’t be overlooked when preparing caravans, boats and portable gas appliances like barbecues ahead of Christmas and the summer holidays.

“Gas appliances like barbecues, refrigerators, camp cookers, lanterns, and their connections can be dangerous if they are not regularly checked for damage, used correctly, and transported safely,” Mr Stewart said.

“Take a little time to run through these gas safety checks before heading out on your holiday, and then enjoy whatever you do – safely.”

Resources Safety and Health Queensland has prepared some simple gas safety checks to ensure portable gas appliances are safe to use these holidays:

• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for safe assembly and use.
• Check cylinders for holes, rust, dints, and damage and if it is damaged don’t use it.
• Check your cylinder’s test date stamp and if it hasn’t been tested in 10 years, get a new one.
• Check fittings on barbecues, valves, and hoses for any signs of fading, fraying, cracking, or splitting and check for missing ‘O’ ring seals.
• Apply soapy water to connections between the appliance and the gas cylinder to check for bubbles, which indicates a dangerous leak.
• Secure gas bottles firmly in transit and keep them out of the sun, which can cause gas expansion and leaks.
• Always use a licensed gas fitter to fix, test, or install new appliances. You can look up licensed gas fitters on the Gas Safety Queensland site.

For more advice on gas safety visit https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/safety/home/gas.