Propane Safety Tips

With winter less than two weeks away, this is a good time to review some ways to keep your family safe during the harsh winter months. With that in mind, here are some safety tips, courtesy of the Propane Education and Research Council.

• If you ever smell propane in your home, leave your house immediately and call for help.
• Create an emergency plan and discuss it with everyone in your family. This plan should include instructions for how to turn off propane systems.
• Make sure you have an adequate supply of propane if you know bad weather is coming. We recommend that you call for a delivery when your tank gauge reaches 30%. (Consider getting automatic deliveries so you don’t have to worry about running low on fuel).
• Prepare a disaster supply kit, which should include several days of water and canned food supplies, along with a can opener, extra clothes, blankets, flashlights, medications, batteries and supplies for your pets. You should also have a battery-powered radio. Make sure to keep rock salt, firewood, and snow-removal equipment accessible.
• Regularly check your flue pipes, vent connectors and propane tank and lines for damage, blockage, or debris. If you need to remove snow or ice, use a broom rather than a shovel to clear these areas so you avoid causing damage.
• Be sure your home has carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is a deadly poison that’s both odorless and invisible. Make sure your smoke detectors are working too!
• Never use outdoor propane equipment like portable grills or stoves inside your home.
• If you have a portable generator, never operate it in your basement or garage. Always run a generator outdoors.

Following the above steps can help your family stay safe all season long. You can read additional propane tips here.

For everything you need in home heating, trust the pros at Carroll Home Services – keeping Maryland homes warm for more than a century! Contact us to get started today!