Why are people so helpless? 😓

I made a post this morning about a gas leak. We fixed it so it's all fine, but I literally still get comments that fire departments need to be contacted and what not. I never thought about it when I lived in Denmark, because nothing ever broke lol. In Ukraine we live in old soviet buildings, so naturally, everything breaks all the time, so it's beyond ridiculous to call a fire department whenever someone has a gas leak. The valve was what was leaking, so we just needed to buy and install a new one. The reason we add a smell to gas is so that we notice it. When something explodes, it's usually because no one's home in the apartment for days. It's not hard to install a new valve, the fact that even men in modern countries panic and call authorities over something small like this baffles me. It literally takes 10 minutes to do, it's very easy, and I assume you people also have gas meters, so you can check if the leak has stopped or not. Everyone needs to calm down, and also maybe learn how to do basic repairs?

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Punches · 46-50, F

There are a lot of dumb people who cannot do much of anything for themselves. There really are people who have so little mechanical knowledge that replacing a valve seems like rocket science.

I can kind of understand why someone would not be comfortable trying to find and fix a gas leak but most other basic things would be worth a go.

One motivation for learning basic home repairs is it will save a lot of time and money instead of calling a repair tech.

SW-User

@Punches Yeah like there's no reason to pay someone to screw on a piece of metal. Chances are if you live in Ukraine, one of your pipes are leaking a bit all the time. I feel like it's been made up to be this scary shadow monster in people's mind, after reading some of the comments, when really no one can hinder an accident from happening. Whether I screw it on or someone else does, doesn't matter. We both have hands. It's just important to sometimes turn your gas off for say 30 minutes and then see if the numbers on the meter have moved or not. That's really all anyone can do. My building could also get hit by a rocket tonight, the knowledge that life will end one day and can end at any time is part of life.

Punches · 46-50, F

@SW-User The gas company would have probably charged $300 to replace a $15 part (in US money anyways)

Like I said though, some people are not smart enough to figure out or even investigate how to do minor repairs. Even though there are countless videos (and unfortunately commercials) on youtube.

Major jobs often require professionals but one should try to easier and less expensive options first.

SW-User

@Punches Like I said to someone else in the comments, many people here act as if gas spontaneously combust lmao! "It's too dangerous if I try to fix it and fail" but so what, just try again or call someone then? We're talking about something as simple as making a square shape out of lego anyways, but the fear surrounding gas is shocking to me. I don't understand how people who say: "I wouldn't know how to do it, why spend one minute to learn when I can pay someone instead" have better jobs than me.