Propane Safety in Cottage Grove MN | Propane Tank Safety
Propane Safety in Cottage Grove MN | Propane Tank Safety
If you’ve had a propane tank for 1 day or 10 years, safety should be on your mind. While propane is a wonderful, reliable fuel source, it can also be dangerous if not installed or maintained properly. Fundamentally, most fuel sources are going to be flammable at some level, and propane is no different. Proper precautions to prevent fires should be taken, whether you have a tank in your backyard or an RV that runs on propane. We’ve outlined some of the most common safety tips for propane tanks below, along with a few general best practices for storing and handling this fuel source. Propane Safety in Cottage Grove MN
Have Experts Refill your Tank
While some people take refilling their propane tank into their own hands, it’s best to have a professional do it. After all, you don’t want to put yourself or anyone else at risk by mishandling the process. You also never know when something might go wrong—if there’s ever an accident involving your propane tank, having experts refill it can help ensure that no one is hurt. At River Country Coop, we offer an automatic filling service that can ensure your home always has enough propane to keep your home heated and happy. We can also make sure you are practicing good Propane Safety in Cottage Grove MN.
Have your Propane Tank Inspected
Propane tanks do eventually degrade and need to be replaced, so it’s important to have your tank inspected regularly. There are many reasons why you should have your propane tank inspected: It can help prevent dangerous leaks from occurring in your home, it can ensure that the safety of your home is being maintained at all times, and it can help reduce the risk of fire or explosions due to a faulty tank. When you need a new propane tank installed or refilled, trust River Country Coop for quality work and excellent customer service.
If you Smell Gas:
The major risk of owning and using propane to heat your home is rare, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared for the worst. Having a plan in place for what you and those in your home should do when you smell gas is critical to maintaining your safety as a homeowner.
Avoid Fires or Sparks
Fires, sparks, and other sources of open flames should all be avoided if you smell gas. However, there are lots of things that can cause sparks- and even small sparks can be disastrous in the presence of propane. Phones, for instance, and other electrical equipment or appliances can all create sparks that can trigger a flame or explosion. While you will want to notify authorities or a qualified inspector, wait until you are in a safe area to do so. For more information on Propane Safety in Cottage Grove MN, be sure to visit rivercountry.coop.
Leave to a Safe Area
As soon as you smell gas, get you and anyone else in your home to immediately leave and move into a safe area. This is one of the most important steps, and you should never ignore the gas smell or delay leaving. Even if you think it’s just a small amount of gas and are not worried about an explosion, leaving is still necessary. If there is any sign of danger at all (such as fire or sparks), leave immediately. Ideally, you’ll want to make your way to a neighbors home, or another building that’s within walking distance of your home.
Shut off your Gas
If you feel safe doing so, shutting off the main gas supply valve on your home’s propane tank is an excellent way to mitigate the dangers your home is in. If there is a leak somewhere in your home’s heating system, shutting off the main valve will prevent gas from flowing into your home. This is especially important if you’re dealing with a small leak, as the smallest amount of natural gas can burn off and ignite at any moment. If you don’t know how to shut off your main valve or aren’t sure if it’s safe to do so (such as if there are flames nearby), be sure to call for professional help immediately.
Report the Leak Immediately
As soon as you are in a safe area, contact your propane retailer, 911, or your local fire department right away to report the leak. The quicker you report the leak, the faster emergency personnel will be able to respond and assess the situation.
Have your System Inspected
Now that you’ve reported the leak, wait until your home is in a safe state to return, and then reach out to a qualified propane retailer or service technician to inspect your home’s propane appliances and system.
At River Country Cooperative, we work hard to be the best local propane supplier and trusted fuel supplier in Minnesota. We can help you with anything from finding and purchasing the right propane tank, to instructing you on fuel safety, to propane delivery. We’ve been supplying fuel and propane to homes and businesses all over the country since 1935, to learn more about how River Country Cooperative can help you, reach out to us today! If you have questions about Propane Safety in Cottage Grove MN, we can help answer them! Contact us to learn more about propane and fuel.