Being careful with the gas cylinder in winter

 Written by: Muzamil Shah Watandost

In Afghanistan, some people use woods and coal in heaters during winter but some others use gas for this purpose. If the gas cylinder is not used properly, it could cause different problems.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some people about the dangers of the gas cylinder inside living rooms.

Muslim, a resident of Logar province says, “Once there was a wedding party in one of neighbors’ house. They had turned on gas cylinders for light. One of the cylinders was leaked but they did pay attention to it. A guest wanted to go out from the room at midnight and when he lighted a match, the gas burned and killed about 6 persons.”

Waheed, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif City, Balkh province says, “Once one of our family members thought that the gas cylinder was empty and she had put it beside side the heater, as the gas was frozen inside the cylinder, the heater caused it to esplode and kills 4 members of our family.”

What do some people think about the causes of not taking care of gas cylinders?

Abdullah Amiry, a resident of Arghanday village, Paghman district of Kabul province says, “One day we had hired some workers to build a wall around our garden. We had installed a tent for the workers and they were cooking on a gas cylinder but the rubber of the regulator was broken and gas was leaked from it and as a result, the cylinder exploded and caused the casualty of the workers.”

A mechanic, Noor Agha says, “The gas cylinder burns when the regulator rubber washer is broken.”

How do some people take care of gas cylinders in the winter?

Ihsanullah, a resident of Sultanpur district, Nangarhar province says, “I always chick the gas cylinder before using and if it has leakage, I repair it. I don’t let the LPG overwhelms the cylinder.”

 Noor Agha says, “When a gas cylinder burns, housewives should not be confused. They should wrap a blanket around it, or scatter sands or soil on it to bring the fire under control.”