PROPANE SAFETY
Propane Safety: Important Information for You and Your Family
When using your propane appliance for the first time, whether they are new or pre-owned, it is important to have a propane retailer or a qualified service technician check the system to determine it is leak-free. Harper Propane provides this service. Call us today for more information.
Do You Smell Gas?
- No flames or sparks! First safety rule: put out all smoking materials and extinguish open flames Immediately. Do not turn on lights, appliances, telephones, or use your cell phone. An explosion can be triggered by flames or sparks from these sources.
- Get out of the area immediately! Remove yourself and all others, including animals, from the area you suspect a gas leak.
- Shut off the gas. If it is safe, and you are able to do so, turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank. Turn it to the right (clockwise) To close the valve.
- Report the leak. From a safe place, either a neighbor's home or other nearby facility that is away from the gas leak, call your propane retailer immediately. If you can't reach them, call 911 or your local fire department. Let them know if you were unable to turn off the main gas supply.
- Stay away from the area or out of the building until you are advised it is safe to return by either your propane retailer, emergency responder, or a qualified service technician.
- Get a thorough system check. Call your propane retailer or a qualified service technician to perform a full system check to ensure it is leak free and safe to use before you use any of your propane appliances.
What if You Can't Smell It?
Generally Propane smells like rotten eggs, a skunk's spray, or a dead animal. There are a couple of situations where the smell may not be strong or noticeable.
People - There are some people who may have difficulty smelling propane due to several reasons, age, a medical condition, sometimes even medicine, alcohol and drugs can affect our ability to smell things.
Propane Odor loss - Propane can lose its odor. It is rare but does happen on occasion. There are a couple of things that can cause this, including:
- The presence of air, water, or rust in a propane tank or cylinder
- The passage of leaking propane through the soil propane safety
Appliance Maintenance
Leave it to the experts. There are many people who are excellent handymen and feel they can install or repair their appliances. However, when it comes to appliances that are run by propane it is safe to have a qualified service technician who has the training to install, inspect, service, maintain, and repair your appliances, It is a good idea when the cool weather is beginning to have your appliances and all propane systems inspected for leaks, and necessary repairs.
Do not try to modify or repair valves, regulators, connectors, controls, or other appliance and cylinder / tank parts. Trying to modify needed repairs on your own can risk causing a gas leak. This can cause serious injury, result in property damage, or even result in death.
CO and Your Safety
What is carbon monoxide (CO)?
Carbon Monoxide is a very deadly gas. Part of what makes it so deadly is you can't taste or smell it. Appliances that are not operating correctly, a chimney that has become blocked or even venting system can also cause Carbon Monoxide gas to leak into the air.
CO can be deadly! High levels of CO can cause headache, fatigue, sleepiness and nausea. Carbon Monoxide can also cause brain damage or even death! While we are sleeping is the most dangerous time. That is why the detectors are so important if you use propane appliances. Be aware if you feel any of these symptoms, do not ignore them.
If you even suspect CO might be present, act immediately!
- Immediately remove yourself and family members or friends if anyone shows physical symptoms of CO poisoning. As soon as you are at a safe distance call 911 or your local fire department
- Once you have been advised it is safe to return open all windows and doors to allow the fresh air to flow through. Turn off any appliances that may be releasing Carbon Monoxide
- Even If no one has presented symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, but you suspect that Carbon Monoxide is present, it is still important to call your propane retailer or a qualified service technician and ask them to check the CO levels and your propane equipment for any leaks or damage.
Carbon Monoxide detectors can provide more safety. Consider installing a Carbon Monoxide detector listed by UL on each level of your home. These detectors can mean the difference between life and death and will help protect your family and loved ones.
Ways to reduce the risk of CO poisoning:
- Always use a qualified service technician to check your venting systems and propane appliances each year. The best time to do so is at the beginning of the cooling-off season, right before you will be using your appliances again.
- Install UL-listed CO detectors on every level of your home
- Never use a gas oven or range top burners to provide space heating
- Portable heaters are only to be used indoors if they are designed and approved for indoor use
- Only use your barbecue grill (propane or charcoal) outdoors for cooking. Never bring indoors.
- Check your appliance exhaust vents for blockage on a scheduled basis
Running Out of Gas
Running out of gas can cause serious safety hazards, including fire or explosion.
- If an appliance valve or a gas line is left open, causing the tank to become empty, a leak could occur when you have the tank refilled with propane
- Your pilot light on your appliances will go out If your propane tank runs out of gas. This can be extremely dangerous when the propane is refilled. Make sure to turn them off until it is refilled.
- A propane retailer or a qualified service technician must perform a leak check of your propane system before turning on the gas.
Lighting Your Pilot Light
There can be many reasons a pilot light repeatedly goes out or is very difficult to light. It can be from something as simple as a dirty pilot orifice to a safety issue of the regulator being bad. It is important to not try to fix the problem yourself. A qualified service technician is strongly recommended to determine the exact cause.
Without knowing the reason behind the problem you are taking a huge risk of an explosion or even a fire if you try to relight the pilot light yourself.