Propane is a great fuel to power just about any appliance, year-round, inside your Buffalo- or Rochester-area home – but during the summer, propane really shows its versatility by powering pool heaters, fire tables, lighting fixtures, and other items outside your home.
With all that summer propane flowing, it’s important to make sure you’re staying on top of propane safety so you can sit back and enjoy your fireside star gazing and long, warm spa soaks.
In the spirit of National Safety Month, here are six important summer reminders for your propane-powered Western New York State home and outdoor space:
- Leave space around propane-burning equipment – Keep your propane grill, space heater or fire pit at least three feet from building openings and ten feet from any air intake device to minimize the chance of a propane gas or carbon monoxide leak entering your home. Keep propane equipment away from flammable materials such as fences, wood, and vinyl siding, as well as from any materials that emit combustible fumes (paint, oil, finishing products, etc.).
- Store propane cylinders properly – If you use refillable propane cylinders, always store them upright – with valves on top and covered – and outdoors (never inside garages, storage sheds, etc). If you have old propane cylinders sitting around, gather them for propane tank recycling.
- Always hire professional contractors for propane equipment installations – Propane equipment installations are subject to a range of regulations, codes, and standards. To make sure your propane equipment meets them, skip the DIY and hire a certified propane professional.
- Maintain your equipment regularly – Professional maintenance for propane equipment will spot problems that could cause safety risks for your family – be sure to have your propane equipment, including your propane tank, inspected and serviced every year.
- Practice proper grill safety – Grills are responsible for more than 10,000 house fires – not to mention thousands of injuries – every year, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Check out this video for more NFPA propane grilling safety tips.
- Review propane safety tips with your family – Summer is a great time for a short refresher course on propane safety: be sure your family knows what to do in the event of a propane emergency, especially if you suspect a propane gas leak.
June is National Safety Month – be sure to practice propane safety inside and outside your Buffalo or Rochester home! Contact us today if you have any propane safety questions so you can enjoy a worry-free summer 2019!
