| Propane is a safe, efficient and environmentally | | | | handy, either stored on all of your cell phones or |
| friendly fuel, but like any fuel it needs to be | | | | kept in the car. If you are able, go and turn off |
| handled with care. You've already taken | | | | the supply valves while someone else makes the |
| precautions and have installed a propane gas | | | | call. |
| detector. But what do you do when it actually | | | | Make sure no-one enters the house until it has |
| goes off? Are you prepared? Read on to find out | | | | been declared safe. Before you use any of your |
| how to keep your family safe when you're using | | | | propane appliances, have them inspected by a |
| propane, and what to do in the event of an | | | | technician to ensure that are working properly. |
| emergency. | | | | have someone come out and inspect your tanks |
| Propane has a chemical added to it that produces | | | | or cylinders. |
| a nasty, rotten egg smell. Why? So that if any | | | | Your propane gas detector is just one way to |
| gas is leaking into your home, you will be able to | | | | stay safe...the other is prevention. Only use your |
| detect it. However, if you are sleeping, or you | | | | propane appliance for its intended purpose. Don't |
| have a cold, this early warning system may not | | | | use your stove, for example, to heat your home. |
| be enough. A propane gas detector will wake you | | | | Make sure that you have adequate ventilation |
| up, and get your attention early enough to take | | | | when you are using propane appliances to prevent |
| action. | | | | carbon monoxide build up. |
| If the propane gas detector sounds, don't panic! | | | | Also, have regular maintenance checks on all of |
| Make sure that there are no open flames | | | | your tanks, cylinders, piping, regulators, gauges, |
| anywhere in your house and if there are, put | | | | connectors, valves, appliances, vents, |
| them out immediately. This includes cigarettes and | | | | thermostats, burners, pilots and controls. If you |
| other smoking materials. Do not touch or use any | | | | have a service technician come out and inspect |
| electrical appliances, even light switches or your | | | | your system once a year, you will have a good |
| telephone. Propane becomes very flammable | | | | idea of how everything is working and be able to |
| when it is mixed with the air, and it can be ignited | | | | spot problems, or potential problems, before they |
| by flames, electrical sparks, even static. Do not | | | | start. |
| unplug anything, or turn anything on or off. | | | | A propane gas detector is your first line of |
| That said, if any propane appliances are on, turn | | | | defense against fire, explosion or illness resulting |
| them off and extinguish any pilot lights. | | | | from a gas leak. But it isn't the only one. Have a |
| Next, get out of the house. Get everyone a safe | | | | safety plan, and also an emergency plan, and |
| distance away. Then, you can use your cell phone | | | | practice it. That way, when the alarm does sound, |
| to call emergency services. Have the number for | | | | everyone will know exactly what to do, and they |
| your fire department and your propane company | | | | will be able to handle it and get out safe. |