Ontario Propane Blog

Propane Safety Tips for You and Your Family

Posted by James Callow on Sat, Feb 11, 2017 @ 10:00 AM

Propane safety tips for you and your familyAs a home owner, you want to ensure that you and your family safe at all times. Having everyone educated on household hazards is important so that everyone works together to keep your home or cottage a safe place.

A common household hazard is your energy source. Whether it’s propane, natural gas or electricity, the sources of the energy all have safety precautions that must be know.

Propane has become quite popular in Ontario, especially during the summer months for grilling on the barbeque. It is known as a clean burning fuel that is efficient and safe, but like every energy source, propane has its hazards that your family should be aware of to keep your home or cottage a safe environment.

Background on Propane and Basic Safety

Propane is a clean burning fuel that, in its original state, is colourless and odorless. It starts off in its liquid form, then turns into a gas when compressed into a propane cylinder. It is non-toxic and emits extremely low greenhouse gas emissions into the environment. Even though propane isn’t toxic, it still has safety hazards that propane customers should be aware of. For this reason, propane manufacturers have purposely mixed and added a chemical compound to the liquid form of propane. The purpose of adding the chemical compound is specifically to add an odor that everyone can acknowledge as propane.

Although propane may not be toxic, it is flammable, which is why it is important to know the smell of propane and have a gas or carbon monoxide detector in your home. If you smell propane or the detector goes off, you should:

  • Shut off the gas
  • Leave the building and/or area
  • Report the leak
  • Get your propane system checked by your propane provider

Don’t ever create a spark or flame during this situation as an explosion or fire can occur. Also, don’t go back in the building once you’ve left it.

Make sure that you are constantly refilling your propane tank as well. An empty tank can result in rust build-up on the inside of the tank. This is hazardous because the rust masks the smell of propane, preventing you from smelling it if there was a leak.

Propane System and Appliance Safety

When you first have propane hooked up to your house, it is important to review the system and know each connection point, as well as where the shut off valve is. If you understand the connection from your propane tank to your household appliances, you will know what areas to inspect regularly and where the valve is to shut it off in case of an emergency.

When purchasing or moving your household appliances, be sure that they do have a propane connection and not a natural gas one. You don’t want to deal with having multiple energy source hoot-ups or returning your appliance. If you have an older propane appliance, be sure to get it inspected every few years to make sure that the connector valves haven’t worn out or rusted.

During the winter it is crucial to keep your propane tank clear of snow and ice, especially near the regulators, regulator vents, piping and tubing. If these areas aren’t constantly clear, the damage can result in a gas leak.

Keep Your Family Safe

As mentioned above, it is important to educate yourself and your family of the household hazards that you all come into contact with on a daily basis. When it comes to propane, there is no exception. Be sure to keep an eye on infants and toddlers when they are around propane appliances and the tank. They are at the stage where they need to touch and explore everything. Create barricades around your propane appliances so they can’t reach them (ie. The propane cylinder tank on your property, your BBQ, etc.).

Once your children are old enough to understand the rules of the house and the logic behind them, educate them on propane and the safetymeasures they need to take. This includes not jumping or climbing on the propane tank. Yes, it may look like a fun thing to climb on, but one wrong move and a connector could become lose or break, which can cause a leak. Teach them what propane smells like in case a leak does occur, as well as the safety measures they need to take to get to safety.

Propane is a clean and efficient source of energy, and is becoming more and more popular. Be proactive and educate your family on the do’s and don’ts in propane safety and how to detect it. For any questions about propane, or if you are interested in switching to propane, please contact us at Budget Propane.

Contact Us!

Budget Propane supplies the world’s most eco-friendly gas to your home or office on demand. Call 1 888 405.7777 to have Budget Propane install tanks and lines, place remote tank monitors, or provide technical support for your home, business, or contracting job. We deliver throughout central Ontario; Huntsville, Bracebridge, Haliburton, Muskoka, Bala, Midland, Orillia, Barrie, Alliston... and more! Visit us online at www.budgetpropaneontario.com

Tags: Propane Safety, Propane Facts

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