We have a gas stove drama constantly unfolding in our home. I am terrified of our gas stove and use it as little as possible, opting for the microwave, oven, blender, and simply serving raw food whenever I can. We had the opportunity to install an electric stove a few months ago when our gas tanks were empty—we even had the stove, as my parents had just received a new one from a friend and given us theirs; but we didn’t. Apparently my father and husband—who would’ve been responsible for overseeing and installing it, respectively—felt that it was too much work, not a great fit, and that since the house we live in was my grandparents’, it might also cause a conflict among family members.

All of this over a stove! I am still irritated that we bought another two tanks of gas when we could’ve installed a perfectly good electric stove. I’m even more irritated—and frightened—now that I realize that there are more dangers from using gas appliances than I’d originally thought.

Did you know that gas appliances carry the same toxic ingredients that cigarettes do—and that they release them into the air for you to breathe? If you’re like me and you don’t allow smoking in your home, it seems kind of silly to allow a gas stove to be in it. The scary thing is, we can’t see these toxic emissions—such as carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide—and we can’t know they are present unless we use a special detection device. (Note to self: check carbon monoxide detector.)

These chemicals can cause all kinds of health problems. They can affect your memory, your energy level, your coordination, and your vision. Asthma attacks can be caused by nitrogen dioxide. The soot caused from some of these devices can even cause cancer. These chemicals are far from safe. They can make you vomit, make your head hurt, and make you have chest pain. In large amounts, they can even cause death.

So what do we do when we’re stuck with a gas stove? There are a couple of ways of helping yourself and your family stay safe. One, which I mentioned above, is to install a detection device. Another is to always use the exhaust fan above your stove to help pull out the emissions. If you don’t have an exhaust fan for your gas stove, get one as soon as possible. You should also keep your kitchen well-ventilated by opening doors or windows while cooking.