Propane Safety With Extreme Heat Conditions

10 Tips To Keep Your Family Safe

With searing temperatures already kicking in here in North Carolina, it’s important to remember that extreme heat can be dangerous for both people and pets. And while propane is a very safe fuel source to utilize year-round, extreme heat can cause pressure to increase in tanks. Keep these tips in mind to protect your family and home.

1. Light colors serve a purpose. Propane tanks are required to be painted in light-reflective colors, such as white, grey, and silver. This helps them stay cool. Dark colors attract and retain heat, which can create a potentially hazardous situation.
2. Make space. Don’t store things in direct proximity to your propane tank. And be sure that no flammable materials are within 10 feet of any propane tank or grill. That goes for twigs, leaves, and brush too.
3. Spray it down. When the weather is extremely hot, use your garden hose to periodically spray your tank with cool water. This will help lower the pressure and temperature inside the tank.
4. Check with the experts. When extreme heat is in the forecast, let your propane provider and other utility suppliers know if you suspect any issues with your tank or gas lies. Make sure you know how to turn off your propane supply, electricity, and water, and when to do it in case of an emergency.
5. Keep a radio handy. In the event of a large-scale power outage, a battery-powered radio will help keep you informed in real-time.
6. Lights out. If you lose power, turn off all the lights and appliances in your home to reduce damage from a power surge. Keep on small light turned on so you’ll know when power is restored.
7. Use generators outside only. Generators keep essential appliances and keep food from spoiling. But they produce carbon monoxide (CO), which is a poisonous, odorless gas, and thus they should never be operated in an enclosed area. This includes basements, garages, sheds, or tents.
8. Outdoor propane appliances must stay outside. The same is true for any propane appliance not specifically designed and approved for indoor use. Grills, patio heaters, space heaters, or similar should never be used indoors.
9. Store safely. Never store or use portable propane cylinders indoors or in an enclosed area. Keep them outside, out of the sun, and away from other combustible materials.
10. Alarm yourself. Be sure you know the smell of propane. It has an odor akin to “rotten eggs” to help alert you to potential leaks. Know what to do if you smell gas. Install UL-listed propane gas detectors and CO detectors in your home. They can alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide or propane gas. Be sure to follow manufacturer instructions for installation.

The Local Propane Provider You Can Rely On

Your safety is important to us. If you need to turn off your propane for any reason, or if your propane tanks get damaged in any way due to extreme weather or just by accident, call us right away. We’ll do an inspection and make sure your system is safe. Don’t operate any appliances or equipment until we’ve checked it out!

Have questions or need more information? Contact us. Smell gas? Leave the area and then call 911 and call us.