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Cold-Weather Propane Safety: What You Should Know
Cold-Weather Propane Safety: What You Should Know
Posted: December 8, 2020
Your propane tank and appliances will be working hard over the next few months. As the temperatures drop, put these tips into place for propane safety at home this winter!
Make sure your carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are working properly. If you haven’t already done so, install at least one CO detector on each level of your home and make sure there’s one outside every bedroom. Test your batteries monthly and replace them as necessary. In fact, the detectors themselves should be replaced every five years. And while it’s not likely that you’ll experience a propane leak, installing leak detectors is also a good idea.
Know your levels. If your propane tank is anywhere near 25% full or you know that severe cold or snow is on the way, it’s time to set up a home propane delivery. If you sign up for Automatic Delivery, you can make your whole winter easier, as we’ll use your usage patterns and the weather to schedule your deliveries and you don’t have to worry about it at all! Automatic Delivery is a free service from Pioneer.
Be ready before the winter weather really hits. Remove any debris or snow from your vents, chimney and flue. This prevents carbon monoxide buildup. Use a broom (not a shovel) to get snow off of your propane tank, and away from any vents, tubes, piping, tank regulators and valves.
Use your propane-fueled appliances safely and wisely. Portable generators should only be used outdoors. The same rule applies to ALL outdoor appliances, including propane grills, which should NEVER be used in an indoor or enclosed space, such as a garage, carport or sunporch. On a similar note, propane-fueled stoves should ONLY be used for their intended purpose.
Get your generator ready for the season ahead of time. Every month, take 20 minutes or so to run your propane generator. This will help maintain lubrication for the generator’s moving parts. We also recommend that you have enough fuel to keep your generator running for a week—or more—in the event of a power outage.
Is this an emergency? If so, call us at 508-753-3223. Please do not email about an off-hours or immediate need.
Your propane tank and appliances will be working hard over the next few months. As the temperatures drop, put these tips into place for propane safety at home this winter!
