Propane Safety Tips from Your Trusted Local Experts
Homeowners in the Oneonta, NY area that stay comfortable with propane choose this energy option for its longstanding history of efficiency, affordability, and safety. You can count on propane to fuel your heating system, power your stovetop, and so much more. While propane is a safe and versatile fuel, it should always be treated with care—that’s why it’s critical that you follow these industry-approved safety tips.
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Preventative Propane Safety
Understand Your Tank
It is very important to familiarize yourself with the general functions of your propane tank. Know how to read your tank gauge and turn off your gas supply. Regularly monitoring your propane tank levels will help avoid the risk of running out of fuel, which can cause costly damage and serious safety hazards.
Educate Your Family
Make sure all members of your household understand propane safety precautions. This includes proper measures for storage, like keeping flammable items clear from your heating system, and proper handling of propane cylinders, like your grill tank. Never store propane cylinders inside any enclosed building. Establish a family evacuation plan with clear instructions and a meeting point to keep everyone safe in the event of a leak.
Care of Your Appliances
Schedule regular maintenance for your heating system and propane-powered appliances. This will promote safe, unobstructed operation and improve fuel efficiency. Keep an eye on the flame in your gas-range stove. If it burns yellow instead of blue, that can indicate an issue with your burner inlet.
Know the Smell of Propane Gas
All propane has an added odorant to aid in detection. The odor smells like rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal. If you think you smell propane gas in your home or around your property, follow the steps below right away.
If You Smell Propane in Your Home
- Extinguish flames and sparks. Put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Avoid using anything that can create a spark or an electrical charge such as lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones that can ignite an explosion or fire.
- Leave the area. Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
- Shut off the gas. If it is safe to do so, turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise). If you have more than one tank, turn them all off.
- Report the leak. Call Blueox Energy right away—from a neighbor’s home or nearby building—and if you can’t reach us, call 911 or your local fire department.
- Do not return to the building or area. Wait until Blueox Energy, an emergency responder, or a qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.
- Get your system checked. Have Blueox Energy check your entire system before attempting to use any of your propane appliances.
The Team at Blueox Energy Takes Your Safety Seriously
At Blueox Energy, we’re proud to provide our team of experts with the latest technology, software, and training necessary to ensure our operations go above and beyond the industry’s safety standards. Additionally, we provide every customer with around-the-clock emergency service to keep you and your family safe. If you ever need us, give us a call at (800) 723-2583, or reach out to us online to request a propane delivery.