Propane Safety Tips For Your Home

Propane is one of the safest ways to heat and power your Vermont home – but just like any source of energy, you need to know what to do if the unexpected occurs when using it, especially in the winter.

Propane Safety Need To Know

Here are four important propane safety reminders for the cold weather months ahead:

1. Make sure everyone in your family can identify the rotten egg / skunky smell of a propane gas leak – and what to do if they detect it.
2. Teach the adults in your home how to shut the valve on your main propane gas tank in case of emergency. Contact us if you are not sure how to do this.
3. Make sure that carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are installed on every level of your home, following manufacturer’s recommendations for placement and maintenance. Test your CO detectors every year, and replace batteries at the beginning of each heating season (you should replace the whole unit every five or 10 years, depending on the unit you have).

   We also strongly recommend installing propane leak detectors to protect against odor loss in the event of a propane leak.*

4. If you have a propane backup generator, make sure it has enough fuel to run for at least a week in the event of a power outage (if you don’t have that much gas on hand, order your propane delivery now before severe winter weather arrives). Run your generator once a month for about 20 minutes during the winter to make sure it is operating properly and to make sure critical moving parts remain lubricated.
5. If a severe winter weather is forecast:
   • Always follow the instructions of local authorities for evacuations and shelter-in-place emergencies
   • Clear snow and debris from vents, chimneys, and flues after a storm to a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide
   • If you suspect that any of your propane equipment has been damaged or is not working properly, do not attempt to use them – have them professionally serviced right away. Remember: if you shut down your gas supply for any reason, the law requires you to hire a licensed professional to restart your system!
   • Clear your driveway and keep a clear path to your propane tank for emergency refills, if needed.

Stay safe this winter – contact Jack F. Corse, Inc. if you have any questions about propane safety in your Vermont home! Proudly serving Lamoille, Franklin, and Northeast Chittenden County.

* We will talk more about propane odor loss in a future blog – stay tuned!