Most gas accidents come from a handful of repeated mistakes. These rules — simple, cheap, effective — prevent almost all of them.

The Daily Rules

  • Close the valve when not cooking. Overnight, when leaving the house, always. Most slow leaks happen while nobody's watching.
  • Keep the cylinder upright — always. Laying it on its side lets liquid gas reach the valve — a serious hazard.
  • Ventilate the kitchen. Cook with a window or vent open. LPG needs somewhere to go if it leaks.
  • Never leave a lit burner unattended — especially with children in the house.

The Weekly/Monthly Rules

  • Soapy-water test the joints monthly — 5 minutes that catches leaks early. See the leak detection guide.
  • Check the hose for stiffness, cracks, and rat bites (braided hoses resist rats).
  • Check that clips are tight at both hose ends.

The Periodic Rules

  • Replace the hose every 2 years. Rubber degrades invisibly.
  • Replace the regulator every 2–3 years or at the first sign of trouble (failure signs).
  • Buy only genuine, sealed cylinders — our checklist for genuine cylinders shows what to look for.

    • Placement Rules

    • Cylinder away from the cooker flame — at least 1 metre is good practice.
    • Away from sunlight and heat sources — heat raises internal pressure.
    • On a stable, level surface — never balanced on other objects.
    • Never inside a closed cupboard or pit — LPG pools in confined spaces.

    The Mistakes That Cause Most Accidents

    1. Leaving the valve open overnight — slow leak accumulates.
    2. Using a flame to "check for leaks".
    3. Rat-chewed hoses ignored for weeks.
    4. Buying illegally decanted/refilled gas (unsealed, underfilled).
    5. Children taught to cook without leak education.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is it safe to keep the cylinder in the kitchen?

    Yes — with ventilation, upright position, and distance from flame. That's how most Kenyan homes do it safely.

    Can gas cylinders explode?

    Rarely — explosions need gas accumulation + ignition source. The rules above prevent accumulation; no sparks/flames prevents ignition. The danger is real but preventable.

    Is a hissing sound normal when opening the valve?

    A brief hiss on opening is normal pressure release. Continuous hissing with the valve open = leak — close it and test.

    Safety supplies delivered: hoses, regulators, clips, leak detectors — add them to your next order. Shop accessories →