Propane Safety

PROPANE SAFETY

IF YOU SMELL GAS

NO FLAMES OR SPARKS! Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire.
LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY! Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
SHUT OFF THE GAS. Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank, if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
REPORT THE LEAK. From a neighbor's home or other nearby building away from the gas from the gas leak, call your propane retailer right away. If you can not reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fire department.
DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA until your propane retailer, emergency responder, or qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.
GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED. Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or a qualified service technicain must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.

RECOGNIZING THE SMELL OF PROPANE

Propane has a strong, unpleasant smell like rotten eggs, a skuck's spray, or a dead animal. Propane manufactures add the smell deliberately to help alert customers to propane leaks, which can create a safety hazard.

TAKE THE SNIFF TEST. Teach everyone in your home or building what propane smells like. Always take action if you smell any foul odor.

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) AND YOUR SAFETY

WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE? Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless odorless, tasteless, and toxic gas. Smoking a cigarette; running an internal combuston engine; and buring candles, fuel oil, wood, kerosene, natural gas, and propane may produce CO. High levels of CO can be produced when fuels are burned incompletely.

WHERE DO HIGH LEVELS OF CO COME FROM? High levels of CO can be generated by internal combustion engines or by appliances that are defective or impropertly installed or maintained. CO can also enter a home if an appliance venting system or chimney becomes blocked.

CO CAN BE DEADLY! High levels of CO can make you dizzy, give you headaches, or cause flu-like symptomes. In extreme case, high levels of or extended exposure to CO can result in brain damage or death. Young children; the elderly; people with heart disease; and those under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medicaion are particularly susceptible to CO poisoning.

SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING INCLUDE:

HEADACHE
DIZZINESS
FATIGUE
SHORTNESS OF BREATH
NAUSAE

CO DETECTORS CAN IMPROVE SAFETY. CO detectors are designed to sound an alarm when they sense excessive levels of CO in the air. For an extra measure of safety, we recommend that you consider installing a CO detector listed by UL on each level or your home. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding installation, location, and maintenance.

IF YOU SUSPECT CO IS PRESENT ACT IMMEDIATELY!

If you or a family member shows physical symptoms of CO poisoning, get everyone out of the building and call 911 or your local fire department.
If it safe to do, open windows to allow entry of fresh air, and turn off any appliances you suspect may be releasing the CO.
If no one has physical symptoms of CO poisoning, but you suspect that CO is present, call your propane retailer or a qualified service technician to check CO levels and your propane equipment.

TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF CO POISONING:

Have a qualified service technician check your propane appliances and venting systems annually, preferably before the heating season begins.
Consider installing a UL-listed CO detector on every level of your home.
Never use a gas oven or range-top burners to provide space heating.
Never use portable heaters indoors, unless they are designed and approved for indoor use.
Never use a barvecue grill(propane or charcoal) indoors for cooking or hearting.
Regularly check your appliance exhaust vents for blockage.

SOME SIGNS OF IMPROPER ALLIANCE OPERATION THAT CAN GENERATE HIGH CO LEVELS:

Soothing, especially on appliances, vents, and warm air registers
Unfamiliar or burning odor
Increased moisture inside of windows

SMALL-CYLINDER SAFETY

You may occasionally use small propane cylinders to operate barbecue grills and other outdoor appliances. If so, be sure to follow these basice safety tips:

IF YOU SMELL GAS

Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames.
If you are able to, safely turn off the cylinder valve. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
Immediately leave the area and call 911 or local fire department.
Before you restart the appliance, have a qualified service technician inspect your cylinder and appliance.

STORAGE OF SMALL CYLINDERS

NEVER store or place a propane cylinder indoors or in an enclosed area such as a basement, garage, shed, or tent.
NEVER store or place a propane cylinder in an area of excessive heat (120 degrees or higher) or near a stove, fireplace, or other heat source. The heat builds up pressure inside the cylinder, which may cause the pressure relief valve to release propane. Flash fires or explosions can result from exposing cylinders to heat.
NEVER store or place a spare cylinder under or near a barbecue grill
DO NOT smoke or have any ignition sources such as flames or spark-producing electrical tools in the area while handling or transporting cylinders.

TRANSPORTATION OF SMALL CYLINDERS

ALWAYS transport and store a cylinder in a secure and upright position so it will not fall, shift, or roll.
ALWAYS close the cylinder valve and, if required, seal with plug, even if the cylinder is empty. Ask you propane retailer if a plug is required.
NEVER keep a filled cylinder inside a hot vechicle or transport it inside a closed truck.
ALWAYS place the cylinder in a well-ventilated area of the vehicle.
ALWAYS proceed directly to your destination and immediately remove the cylinder from your vehicle.
The law places limits on the number of cylinders and the amount of propane that can be transported in closed-bodies vehicles such as passenger cars and vans. Ask your propane retailer for more information on state and local codes that apply to you.