If you have a septic tank on your property, you’ve probably heard all about the importance of septic tank maintenance. However, have you heard about the importance of septic tank safety? To keep everyone safe, it is key to follow a few basic tips when it comes to septic tanks. Let’s take a look.
Make sure your septic tank lid is sturdy, and always mark off its location.
The access port to your septic tank always should be enclosed with a robust lid. If your septic tank isn’t properly covered, it increases the risk of someone falling in, which could very well prove to be a fatal accident. Ideally, this cover should be difficult to remove to ensure that children can’t open it.
Never lean over your septic tank.
If you do need to open your septic tank lid, be careful not lean over the tank. Septic tanks release very strong smelling gasses, and in some cases, these gasses actually may be strong enough to knock someone out. While the chance that you might pass out from the odorous gas while leaning over the tank is admittedly a relatively small one, it still simply isn’t a risk that is worth taking.
Never work around your septic tank alone.
As mentioned, the gasses that your septic tank emits can prove to be overpowering. In the event that you do pass out, it is important that someone be in the general vicinity to ensure you haven’t fallen in the tank and to call for medical attention should you need it. Therefore, it is never a good idea to work around your septic tank alone.
Avoid burning flames near your septic tank.
It isn’t a good idea to start up a campfire right next to your septic tank. Why? As mentioned above, septic tanks release powerful gasses. These gasses can contain methane, which is highly explosive. Always keep any kind of flame away from the tank. To be on the safe side, you will even want to avoid smoking a cigarette near the tank.
Never, ever enter the tank.
Unless you are specially trained and wearing special equipment that includes a self-contained breathing apparatus, you should never enter the tank. Even if another person has slipped into the tank, you should never enter the tank in an attempt to retrieve the individual. Each year, people end up dead or seriously injured because of entering a septic tank in an attempt to save an individual who has fallen in. In the event of such an unfortunate situation, the best course of action is to phone emergency services immediately. While waiting for first responders, place fans around the top of the tank opening to blow in fresh air and ensure the individual has a fresh air supply.
In conclusion, if you have a septic tank on your property, it is crucial to take the proper safety precautions. Doing so can quite literally mean the difference between life and death.
