Across Africa and the world, the growing shift toward Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a cleaner, more efficient fuel source is reshaping the way societies cook, manufacture, and power their homes. Yet, as adoption grows, so do misconceptions, half-truths, and unsafe habits that continue to threaten lives and property. The conversation about gas safety has never been more critical, especially as the continent moves toward sustainable energy alternatives. HSENations Senior Reporter, Victory Bernard writes.
Debunking the Myths Mobile-Caused Explosions
For decades, one of the most persistent myths has been the claim that mobile phones can trigger gas explosions. This belief, repeated often but seldom verified, has fueled unnecessary panic and overshadowed the real issues behind LPG incidents—poor handling, substandard equipment, and inadequate safety culture.
In an interview with Engr. Seun Faluyi, FNSE, FNISafetyE, National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE), he stated that it was time to separate science from speculation. “Phones don’t directly cause gas explosions,” he explains firmly. “What can happen, in rare cases, is that a defective electronic device—like a damaged phone battery or a charger—can create a tiny spark. If that spark occurs in a confined space with a high gas concentration, ignition becomes possible. But for a normal, functional phone, the probability is extremely low.”
Similarly, he references the well-documented Kaduna explosion in 2020 that tragically claimed the life of Professor Simon Mallam. “That case was initially blamed on a phone call,” he notes, “but investigations revealed that it was caused by illegal gas operations and improper handling, not a phone.”
Faluyi’s stance is clear: while general caution is wise, the science simply doesn’t support the myth. “The advice ‘don’t use your phone around gas’ has some merit—but not for the reason people think. It’s not because your phone will explode the gas; it’s because your attention might wander when it matters most.”
Human Factor in Gas Safety
Echoing this sentiment, Monique Botha, Managing Director of SafetyArk in South Africa, provides a broader, behavioral perspective. “The biggest hazard isn’t always the spark,” she says, “it’s the distraction. A buzzing phone can pull your focus away from the hiss of a leak or the flicker of a flame. In the seconds you take to check a message, conditions can change. A tiny leak can grow. A flame can go unstable. That’s the true danger.”
Botha elaborates on the scientific aspect, emphasizing that there has never been a verified case of a standard mobile phone igniting LPG. “Laboratory tests have not conclusively shown that a phone can generate a spark strong enough to ignite gas,” she says. “For ignition to happen, you need both the right concentration of gas in air—between two and ten percent—and a strong ignition source. Phones don’t meet that threshold unless they are damaged, overheating, or undergoing battery failure.”
Yet, Botha is quick to point out that absence of proof does not mean absence of risk. “We operate in a world where technology can fail,” she cautions. “A phone dropped near a leaking cylinder, with a cracked lithium-ion battery, could theoretically cause ignition. That’s why our message remains simple: prevention first, caution always.”
Safety Beyond the Myth
On the subject of regulation, Botha offers an industry perspective shaped by years of field experience. “There are no household laws banning phones in kitchens,” she explains, “but in industrial LPG environments, the rules are strict. Facilities classify risk zones—Zone 0, 1, and 2—and any device used there must be certified as intrinsically safe. At home, that translates into one simple principle: avoid distractions, stay focused, and keep electronics away from open gas or flames.”
She emphasizes the importance of household discipline. “Every family that uses LPG should know how to check for leaks, how to shut off the cylinder, and how to ventilate properly. If you smell gas, your phone should be the last thing on your mind. Step away, turn it off, and call for help from a safe distance. It sounds basic, but these small steps save lives.” Both experts agree that technology, while beneficial, can never replace vigilance.
Engr. Faluyi stresses that businesses must uphold regulatory standards, train their personnel, and invest in proper equipment. “Gas handling is not a casual business,” he warns. “Every vendor, every operator, must be licensed and audited. The biggest tragedies we see are rarely caused by chance—they happen because someone ignored procedure, used substandard cylinders, or worked without authorization.”
The Future: Innovation, Culture and Confidence
Botha observes that the shift toward safer technologies is promising, but not a cure-all. “Smart detectors and automated valves are excellent tools,” she says, “but they don’t replace human attention. Technology should enhance safety, not replace the human element of responsibility.”
When asked what final message she would give to home cooks, her words are simple yet striking. “Treat LPG safety like an oil-and-water mix with electronics—they just don’t blend. Silence your phone, focus on your task, and keep distractions out of your cooking area. Your full attention is your best protection.”
For Engr. Faluyi, the conclusion is equally straightforward. “Safety is a culture,” he says. “It’s not something you switch on when you see danger—it’s how you live, work, and make decisions. Proper equipment maintenance, good ventilation, and regulatory compliance are not optional. They are the strongest defenses we have, both at home and at work.” “Energy progress must never come at the expense of human safety,” Faluyi concludes. “When we understand the real risks, not the imagined ones, we move from fear to confidence. And that’s when true safety begins.”
The future of gas safety lies in informed awareness—understanding the science, respecting the risks, and building habits that prevent incidents before they happen. As Africa advances toward cleaner energy, it must also embrace a safety culture rooted in evidence, education, and accountability.
