The dangerous thing in your kitchen you forgot to replace (gas hose edition)

• Any smell of gas (rotten eggs) when the stove is off.

If you see any of these, turn off the gas at the wall immediately and call a licensed gas fitter.

Replacement is cheap

A new gas hose costs $20–40at\; Bunningsoranyhardware\; store.Installation\; byalicensedgasfitter\; costs$80–150. That’s less than $200 every five years. Compare that to a house fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s a no‑brainer.

But I have a braided stainless steel hose

Those are better, but still not permanent. Stainless steel braided hoses last 10–15 years. The rubber inside still perishes. Check the manufacturing date printed on the tag. If it’s older than 10 years, replace it.

Signs of a slow gas leak

• A faint gas smell only sometimes (leak may be intermittent).

• Unexplained headaches, dizziness, or nausea when cooking (mild carbon monoxide exposure).

• Higher gas bills without increased usage.

If you suspect a leak, open windows, turn off the gas at the mains (outside the house), and call your gas company emergency line. Do not use electrical switches or light matches until cleared.

Reader story: “I replaced my hose after reading about a house explosion in the news. The plumber showed me my old hose — it cracked in half when he bent it. It was 18 years old. I had no idea how close I was to disaster.” – Peter, 61, Melbourne.

Mark your calendar

Write on your phone calendar: “Replace gas hose – every 5 years”. Next time you do it, add another reminder. This five‑minute check could save your home and your life.