Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is used for cooking in many urban and rural households in Bangladesh. Gas cylinder safety is paramount in every household. Neglecting safety measures can lead to catastrophic consequences including death and burn injuries. Understanding the importance of proper gas cylinder handling and storage is crucial in preventing accidents. Let’s delve into essential safety measures to prevent LPG cylinder-related accidents. How to Use LPG Gas Cylinder Safely at Home  Proper Storage of Gas Cylinders When storing gas cylinders, it is crucial to keep them upright in a well-ventilated space, away from direct sunlight and other sources of heat. This helps prevent the risk of overheating or ignition.  Additionally, one should ensure that the cylinders are securely positioned to avoid any accidental tipping, which could lead to leaks or damage. Proper storage practices are essential for maintaining the integrity and safety of gas cylinders in the home.  Read more: Why Fire Safety Audit is Essential for Commercial Buildings Purchase from an Authorised Distributor When purchasing LPG cylinders, it is crucial to buy from authorised distributors to ensure quality and safety.  Before placing an order, it is advisable to verify the agency's authorisation status online. This step helps consumers ensure that they are purchasing genuine and certified cylinders from trusted sources, enhancing safety standards in their homes.  Regular Maintenance Checks Regular maintenance checks are vital for ensuring the safety of gas cylinders at home. Certified technicians should conduct periodic inspections to identify any leaks or signs of damage.  Prompt detection of issues allows for timely repairs or replacement of faulty cylinders and reduces the risk of accidents. By prioritising regular maintenance, households can minimise the chances of gas leaks or cylinder malfunctions, thus safeguarding the well-being of occupants and property. Read more: Fire Safety Tips for Parents to Keep Children Safe Safe Handling Practices Safe handling practices are paramount when dealing with gas cylinders. It is essential to handle them with care, avoiding rough treatment or dropping that could lead to damage or leaks. When transporting cylinders, use appropriate equipment to ensure stability and minimise the risk of accidents.  Also, avoid dragging cylinders across the floor, as this could cause abrasions or compromise their integrity. By adhering to safe handling practices, individuals can mitigate potential hazards.  Ensuring Adequate Ventilation Ensuring adequate ventilation is essential, particularly in confined areas where gas cylinders are stored or used. Proper airflow plays a vital role in dispersing any leaked gas, preventing its accumulation, and reducing the risk of ignition.  By maintaining sufficient ventilation, households can enhance safety levels and minimise the likelihood of hazardous situations arising from gas leaks. Prioritising ventilation measures are integral to creating a safer environment when dealing with gas cylinders at home.  Read more: Fire Safety in Apartments: Causes and Prevention Checking for Leaks Before using a gas cylinder, it is essential to conduct a leak test to ensure safety. A simple method is to apply a solution of soapy water to the cylinder valve and connections. If bubbles form, it indicates a leak.  In such cases, the cylinder should not be used until the leak is rectified by a qualified technician. Regularly checking for leaks helps prevent potential hazards and ensures the safe use of gas cylinders in households.  Proper Installation of Gas Appliances Proper installation of gas appliances is crucial for safety. It is recommended to hire certified technicians to install gas appliances, adhering to manufacturer guidelines. Improper installation may result in gas leaks or malfunctions, posing significant risks to occupants.  Certified technicians have the expertise to ensure correct installation, reducing the likelihood of hazards. By prioritising professional installation, households can enhance safety levels in their homes.  Read more: Workplace Fire Safety: 12 Effective Ways to Prevent Fire Hazards Emergency Procedures In the event of a gas leak, swift action is essential for safety. Firstly, turn off the cylinder valve to stop the gas flow. Next, open windows and doors to ventilate the area, helping to disperse the gas. It is significant to evacuate the premises immediately and move to a safe location outdoors.  If the situation escalates or there is a risk of fire or explosion, contact emergency services without delay for professional assistance. Prioritising quick and decisive action can prevent potential accidents and protect lives.  Educating Family Members Ensuring that all family members are well-informed about gas cylinder safety is paramount. Children, in particular, should be educated on the importance of not meddling with gas appliances and being able to identify the signs of a gas leak.  By instilling this knowledge, households can empower everyone to recognise potential hazards and take appropriate action, thereby fostering a safer environment for all occupants. Education plays a crucial role in preventing accidents and promoting responsible behaviour when dealing with gas cylinders at home.  Read more: Car Fire Safety: Common Causes and Immediate Things to Do Importance of Professional Assistance Seeking professional assistance for gas-related tasks is crucial to upholding safety standards and regulatory compliance. Certified technicians possess the expertise and training to handle installations, repairs, and maintenance of gas appliances and cylinders.  Entrusting these tasks to professionals minimises the risk of errors or safety hazards, ensuring the well-being of occupants. By adhering to professional standards, households can maintain the integrity of their gas systems and mitigate the potential for accidents or incidents arising from improper handling or maintenance.  Safety Tips for Cooking with Gas When using gas stoves for cooking, prioritise kitchen ventilation to disperse any gas fumes effectively. Never leave the stove unattended while cooking to prevent potential accidents.  Additionally, avoid wearing loose clothing that could easily catch fire, and ensure that flammable objects are kept at a safe distance from the stove.  Read more: School Fire Hazard Safety: Essential preventive measures to minimise risk Final Words In numerous households in Bangladesh, LPG cylinder is used for cooking. Therefore, the safety issue of LPG cylinders is non-negotiable. By following these precautions and guidelines while using gas cylinders, households can minimise the risk of fire hazards and ensure safer cooking environments.

Price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been slashed again. Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the new price, saying that a 12kg LPG cylinder’s price has been reduced by Tk 75.24. A retail consumer will now get it at Tk 999 instead of Tk 1,074 (including VAT). Prices of other sizes of LPG cylinders – from 5.5kg to 45kg – will go down rationally, Md Nurul Amin, newly appointed chairman of BERC, said at a press briefing on Monday at the BERC office in Dhaka. The new prices will be effective from 6 pm today (July 3, 2023). LPG price drops by Tk 13.42 per kg BERC officials said the LPG price witnessed a decline in the local market due to the decrease in the prices of Saudi CP (contract price). Bangladeshi LPG operators normally import their products from the Middle-East market on the basis of Saudi CP. As per the BERC decision, the price of “auto gas” (LPG used for motor vehicles) also dropped to Tk 46.59 (including VAT) per litre from the previous Tk 50.09. 12-kg LPG price goes up by Tk 57 to Tk 1235 The price of LPG, marketed by state-owned LP Gas Company, will remain the same as it is locally produced with a market share of less than 5 percent. LPG witnessed the highest price at Tk 1,498 (per 12kg cylinder) in the local market in February this year following the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February last year. 12kg LPG cylinder to cost Tk 244 less

Price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has slashed by Tk 13.42 per kg to Tk 89.48 from the previous price of Tk 102.9 for the month of June. Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the new price, saying that a 12kg LPG cylinder’s price has reduced by Tk 161. A retail consumer will get it now at Tk 1,074 instead of Tk 1235 (including VAT).Prices of other sizes of LPG cylinders – from 5.5kg to 45kg – will go down rationally, Md Nurul Amin, newly appointed chairman of BERC, said at a press briefing on Thursday at the BERC office in Dhaka. The new prices will be effective from 6 pm today (June 1, 2023). BERC officials said the LPG price witnessed a rise in the local market due to the decrease in the prices of Saudi CP (contract price). Bangladeshi LPG operators normally import their products from the Middle-East market on the basis of Saudi CP. Also read: 12-kg LPG price goes up by Tk 57 to Tk 1235 As per the BERC decision, the price of “auto gas” (LPG used for motor vehicles) also dropped to Tk 50.09 (including VAT) per litre from previous Tk 57.52, down by 7.43 per litre. The price of LPG, marketed by state-owned LP Gas Company, will remain the same as it is locally produced with a market share of less than 5 percent. LPG witnessed the highest price at Tk 1,498 (per 12kg cylinder) in the local market in February this year following the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February last year.  

Price of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) has decreased by Tk 5.39 per kg to Tk 102.70 from previous price of Tk 108.09 per kg as Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced its latest price for the month of January. As per the new price, 12kg LPG cylinder cost has lowered by Tk 65 as a retail consumer will get it at Tk 1232 instead of Tk 1297. LPG prices for other sizes of cylinders – from 5.5kg to 45kg – will go down rationally, said BERC chairman Abdul Jalil, who announced the new prices at a virtual press briefing. Read more: Industries can now use LPG as a reliable energy solution: Speakers As per the announcement, the price of “auto gas” (LPG used for motor vehicles) also decreased  to Tk 57.41 per litre from previous price of Tk 60.41 per litre, down by Tk 3 per litre. The new prices will be effective from 6 pm today (January 2, 2023). The price of LPG, marketed by state-owned LP Gas Company, will remain the same as it is locally produced with a market share of less than 5%. Read more: 12kg LPG cylinder to cost Tk 46 more The LPG price went up to the highest, Tk 1,439 (per 12kg cylinder), in the local market, following the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February last year. LPG price in Bangladesh was the lowest at Tk 1,225 for a 12kg cylinder in January last year and it witnessed continuous hikes in February, March and April in 2022.

LPG cylinder blasts in the country has so far killed 38 people and injured 72 others, State Minister Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told Parliament on Tuesday.