ISLAMABAD, Jan 19: Saturday’s explosion at a private bank in Rawalpindi due to gas leakage is the third such incident in as many days in the city and its surrounding towns indicating the need for launching an awareness campaign among the people about safety measures needed to be taken on such occasions and first aid to be provided to the victims.

Every year in winter, there are reports of casualties due to incidents of gas explosions caused by gas leakage from appliances, mostly from substandard portable gas heaters.

The people know little about how to detect gas leakage, what to do in case of fire and how to provide immediate medical assistance to the burn victims before shifting them to a hospital or clinic.

Following is a brief description as to what safety measures should be taken by the people to prevent such incidents and provide first aid to the victims:

Natural gas, which is generally known as Sui gas in the country, is colourless and has no odour of its own, so gas companies add an odourant as a safety precaution.

The distinctive pungent odour intentionally smells bad to immediately signal a possible gas leak.

The odour is a warning that natural gas may be present and, if ignited, could result in personal injury or property damage.

If the smell of gas is present inside your home or business (no matter how faint or strong), then

l Don’t smoke or strike a match

l Don’t turn on a light

l Don’t operate any electrical appliance

l Don’t use a flashlight or lighter

l Don’t use a telephone or cell phone from the building

l Don’t attempt to start any motor vehicle while in the area of a possible gas leak

l Alert others and leave immediately

l Turn off the main gas valve, if possible

l Leave the doors open

l Call the gas company from your neighbour’s place or another location

l Inform the gas company people or fire department or police and tell them where you are so you can let them in your building when they arrive.

The first step in providing emergency care for burns is to stop the burning process. Once this has been accomplished, the following steps should be taken:

l Don’t remove burnt clothing, in case of severe burn injuries. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smouldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.

l In case of minor burn injuries, remove all diapers and clothing from around the burn area, these will retain heat, increasing the damage to the skin.

If material is adherent (stuck) to the skin, cool the area with cool water and seek medical attention.

l Jewellery and metal such as belt buckles and zippers also need to be removed.

l Run cool — not cold — water over the burn area for a few minutes (from five to 15 minutes). However, don’t immerse large severe burns in cold water as it can cause shock.

l Do not apply ice directly to the burn. Ice can make the burn worse.

l Do not apply creams, butter, ointments or toothpaste. These products retain heat in the damaged tissue and thus prevent proper healing.

l Do not break any blisters. Broken blisters are vulnerable to infection.

l Cover with a clean, dry cloth without putting pressure on the burn area.

l All burns on the face, hands, feet, major joints or genital area should be considered serious and need to be evaluated by a physician.

l Elevate the burned body part or parts. Raise above heart level, when possible.