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In most cases, yes, it’s safe to light a gas water heater manually, but you should shut the gas off first, open a window, and let the space air out for about 10 minutes. Modern water heaters shut the gas off entirely if the pilot light goes out, but airing out the area beforehand is good practice and will ensure it’s safe to relight your pilot light manually. Just make sure you turn the gas valve to “pilot” before lighting. If the light keeps going out or won’t light at all, call in a professional.

Natural gas companies advise only shutting off the gas supply at the meter yourself if you smell natural gas or suspect there is a leak, typically following an emergency. Instead, you can shut off gas to individual appliances when necessary. If you want to turn off your natural gas entirely, you should contact your utility company. You’ll generally also need to acquire a permit to work on your natural gas line.

Yes, you can store a propane tank, whether it is full or empty. Remember that the container is contaminated with hazardous materials once it has housed propane, but as long as it’s properly placed in a well-ventilated, temperature-controlled space, a tank is unlikely to cause issues whether it is full of propane or not. 

Having gas appliances in your home can be convenient—you benefit from faster water heating, more efficient clothes drying, and more affordable home heating. However, you need to be aware of the signs of a gas leak so that you and your family can take precautions to be safe around these versatile appliances. 

Signs of a gas leak include:

• Hissing sounds

• Rotten egg smell

• Higher than usual gas usage

• Physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea