After being in the business for so many years, how aware do you think consumers are about safety measures?

They are not very aware. Despite efforts of the Indian Oil officials and their dealers, people are not serious about safety methods. There have been some serious accidents as well.

What are the important measures?

Many people open the knob of the gas stove first and then start looking for a match box. It is risky and leads to wastage of gas. Also, it is important that the stove should always be above the level of the cylinder, as the gas is heavy and escapes through the drain in case of leakage. If the stove and the cylinder are at the same level, it calls for disaster.

When should the tube connecting the stove and the cylinder be changed?

The rubber tube is the weakest link and people tend to neglect it. In modern kitchens, where the tube is partly concealed, people forget to check the tube. It must be changed if one notices cracks or feels it is worn out. It is advisable to replace the tube once a year.

Any other important precautions?

When the delivery boy comes to hand over the gas cylinder, the consumer must insist that he opens the seal and checks that the ?O? ring is there. If it is missing, the gas will start leaking once it is fitted.

What should one do if he smells gas?

First, close the knob of the cylinder. You should not switch on or switch off any electrical appliance. There should be no naked flame, like a candle, in the room.

One must ensure that there is no naked flame around when the cylinder is being changed. One must never put the cylinder in a horizontal position to extract the maximum gas out. It does not help and is a could lead to choking of knobs and a flare up. Also remember that even empty cylinders have some gas in liquid form. Therefore, handle an empty cylinder with care.

Arun Kumar Thakur