As these hot summer months finally come to a close, it is time for everyone to start getting ready for winter! Some of you are very excited at that prospect and then others are disappointed summer is already winding down. If you are going to be using propane or residential propane services during the winter then you should start being by being prepared. Safety is a big issue when it comes to residential propane services. Using propane fuel and propane tanks can be very cost effective but you have to make sure that you are being very safe. The great thing about propane is that a storm isn’t going to knock it out like it would electricity so you can still have heat, etc during a storm. However, this means that you need to make sure that you have enough. If the propane runs out then you would be in the same spot as everyone else.
Before winter hits…
- During the fall you should start getting ready for those winter storms. Your propane tank should always be marked by something that is higher than the snow. If you average out the last few years of snow and pay attention to the forecasts, you should get a good idea of how tall your pole or stake needs to be. This way, when snowplows or snow pushers come along, they will be able to avoid the propane tank and a potentially awful accident.
- Make sure that you have enough propane actually in the tank. Residential propane service companies usually have a delivery service that will come and fill your tank when it has less than 70%. Keep in mind that roads may be blocked during a storm or just before and after so a residential propane service probably would not be able to get through.
- Everyone in your household should know the smell of propane. This way if there is ever a leak or something breaks then the first person to know the smell can warn everyone else. Everyone should know the safety protocols for propane as well.
In the midst of winter…
- Especially when storms are in the forecast, make sure that you adhere to recommendations to stay indoors when necessary. This will help keep everyone safe.
- You should clear away snow and ice from all of your outdoor vents and flues in order to reduce the risk of CO poisoning. Try to use a broom, not a shovel, so that you don’t damage the parts on your propane system.
- If the pipes on your propane tank freeze and break, the gas will pour out in to the snow which could start a fire so make sure you clear away snow and ice from around the tank as much as possible.
After winter storms…
- Be very careful outside your house after a storm first ends. You may be instructed to stay inside for awhile even after the storm has passed. If you are worried about the structural integrity of your home, have it inspected by an engineer before going back inside.
- If you are inspecting your property, make sure to use a battery powered source like a flash light in lieu of a fire source like torches or candles.
- Cleaning up snow can be a huge job. Before doing anything, allow the city to bring their snowplows and salt by and then it will be safer for you to go out and finish up the task on your own property.
Living in an area that gets a lot of snow can be a difficult task. It’s amusing to hear people say how much they wish they could see snow or play in snow; it’s not all fun and games! Snow can cause a lot of problems and if you aren’t prepared for it then it can catch you off guard and be very problematic. Make sure that you are prepared with sufficient propane and supplies before winter even starts. It’s also a good idea to have a regular delivery schedule for your propane to make sure that you don’t run out. Then, if there is a storm on the horizon then you can have extra delivered to make sure the tank is always full.