Use Propane Safely

Propane is the energy source that often powers these activities. It is versatile, economical and safe, and can be taken where no other fuels can go. Stored as a liquid and used as a gas, it will cook meals, heat the cottage or trailer, ensure a supply of hot water, and even refrigerate food.

Call your propane dealer to arrange for refueling and be sure to inform them that your tank ran out of gas.
Schedule the delivery when an adult will be at home, so the delivery person can safety-check the gas system and re-light the pilots. Don't attempt to turn the gas on or re-light pilots yourself.

Of course, the safest bet here is to never run out of gas. Most tanks will have a gauge that measures the amount of propane remaining. Discuss with your propane dealer methods to keep your system fueled at all times.

If you smell something, think gas. What does propane smell like? Because propane gas in its natural state is both colorless and odorless, a distinctive odorant (ethyl mercaptan) is added for the purpose of detecting its presence. The added odor smells like rotten eggs. Always be sensitive to the slightest gas smell. If you smell propane, no matter how strong or weak the smell, treat it as a serious gas leak.

Your nose, though, is not the best warning device of a gas leak. Some people (especially the elderly) are unable to detect the smell of gas.

Colds, allergies, sinus congestion, and the use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs, may diminish your sense of smell. Cooking odors or other strong odors can cover up the smell of gas.

On rare occasions, propane gas may lose its distinctive odor, this is called 'odor fade.' Air, water, and rust in a propane tank or cylinder may weaken the gas odor, especially if the valves were left open after the container has been emptied. And, sometimes propane gas can lose its odor if a leak occurs underground.

The best method of warning about as gas leak is the installation of a gas detector in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Even with a gas detector, be alert to these other warnings of a gas leak.

Suspect a gas leak if you hear a hissing noise near a gas appliance, piping, or storage tanks and cylinders or you smell a foul odor you can not find the source of. Treat all gas leaks as very dangerous.

• Put out all smoking materials and other open flames.
• Do NOT operate electric switches.
• Do NOT light matches.
• Do NOT use your phone. USE a neighbor’s phone or your cellular phone from outside the building or wherever you detected the gas leak to call the local fire department.
• Any spark or flame in the area where propane gas is present may ignite the gas. This could include the spark of a light switch, telephone, fan, or refrigerator motor, and even static electricity from walking across a room or flame from a burner, pilot light or cigarette lighter.
• Immediately get everyone out of the building, vehicle, camper, or area.
• Close all supply valves on gas tank or cylinder.
• Do NOT re-enter the building, vehicle, camper, or area until a trained service person or the fire department advises it is safe to return. That means your car keys or other valuables you accidentally left behind stay in the building until firefighters tell you it is safe to go back in. It also means you must let the trained propane service person or firefighters check for escaped gas and air out the area before you return.

Have the trained propane service person:

• Repair the leak
• Pressure check the system
• Turn on the gas
• Check all the gas appliances
• Re-light the pilots on the appliances.
• You might think your know how to relight the pilot light of your propane appliance or repair a leak in a propane pipe or tank but you have not had the training that the safety experts have had. Propane is one of the safest fuels we use. Like other fuels though, propane – when not handled properly – can be one of the deadliest fuels we use.