Propane Safety During Hurricanes

Exercising safety precautions is always important when propane is near, but it is paramount when inclement weather is predicted or is occurring.  With summer soon to begin, hurricane season is approaching many parts of the country.  Read on to learn what safety precautions are necessary in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm.

Be Prepared

Preparation is always the key to storm safety.  If you live in an area where hurricanes are likely to occur, follow this check list to prepare for an upcoming severe storm:

1. Store the contact information of all of your utility companies in a safe location. This should include your propane, water, and electricity providers to name a few.
2. Learn how to turn off your propane. You may contact your propane provider if you are unsure how to do this.  Before a hurricane is predicted to begin, shut off the propane to be safe.
3. Secure or store outside items like patio furniture and propane cylinders. While it is okay to store patio furniture indoors, you should never store a propane cylinder in an enclosed space like your home, garage, or shed.
4. Anchor your propane tank, especially in flood zones. The National Fire Protection Agency requires all large propane tanks to be anchored securely in flood zones.  Contact your propane provider to learn if your tank needs anchoring and how to anchor it.

• Make sure your propane tank is full before a storm is predicted to avoid hurricane related delays after it has passed (Propane Safety and Hurricanes | PERC).

During a Hurricane

If you have stayed at home and not evacuated, here are some safety tips for while the hurricane is ongoing:

• Do not use outdoor propane appliances indoors
• Using a standby propane generator may be safe in certain conditions, but use caution
• Stay on top of weather and safety alerts for your area.

After the Hurricane

Once the hurricane has passed, it is time to inspect your property for damage.  It is important to exercise extreme caution when doing so and not to enter any areas that appear unsafe.  If you see that your propane tanks or lines have been damaged in any way, contact your propane provider immediately! Additionally, if your home or property has suffered damage, it is a good idea to have a professional propane technician inspect your propane system before turning the propane on—don’t do it yourself!  The technician, if it is deemed safe, can also turn your propane back on for you (Propane Safety and Hurricanes | PERC).  (Remember, whenever you turn your propane off, it is always recommended to have a professional inspect your system before turning the propane back on).

Staying Safe

We take safety seriously year ‘round, no matter the weather conditions at Superior Plus Propane.  If you live in an area prone to tropical storms and hurricanes and have any questions regarding how to handle your propane system in preparation for a severe storm, please contact us at (855) 804-FUEL.  For more general safety information, please visit us at Propane Safety » Superior Plus Propane.