Propane Tips To Stay Safe And Warm This Winter

Winter arrives this week here in New England, which means that soon you’ll be leaning hard and often on our propane-fired heating system to keep your family safe and warm.

To make sure you get the heat you need this winter in the safest, easiest way possible, please follow these tips:

• Sign up for automatic propane delivery – With FREE automatic propane delivery, you don’t have to think about managing your propane supply because we do it or you. If you don’t receive automatic deliveries, contact us for a refill when your tank reaches the one-third full mark to avoid a run-out.
• Keep a clear path to your tank – Keep at least an 18-inch path to the fill valve of your propane tank free of snow, ice, branches, and other obstructions so our delivery team can reach it safely and quickly. If you have an aboveground tank, clear all snow off the tank using a broom. If your propane tank is behind a gate, please be sure it is open the day of your delivery, and be sure to control all pets (for their safety and ours).
• Flag your tank – Attach a colored flag to your tank if that is high enough to be seen over a deep snowfall. If you have an underground tank, install a flag in the ground near where your tank is located.
• Properly store empty propane tanks – If you have empty barbecue or other propane tanks from the summer, store them outdoors away from ignition sources. If your propane tank is damaged or beyond its useable date, have it recycled according to Rhode Island or Massachusetts regulations. Never store propane cylinders indoors or in an enclosed area such as a basement, garage, or shed.
• Review propane safety procedures – Re-acquaint yourself and your family with the basics of propane safety in your RI or MA home, including these three propane safety keys:
  • Teach all adults in your home how to shut off the flow of gas from your main propane storage tank. If you are not sure how to do that, contact us.
  • Remind everyone in your family how to detect a propane leak, and what to do if they encounter one.
  • Never use outdoor propane equipment (grills, portable generators, etc.) indoors: they emit carbon monoxide (CO) as exhaust, which can become a dangerous or even deadly hazard.

Be safe and warm in your home this winter with reliable propane deliveries and expert propane repairs and service from W.H. Riley & Son – serving our Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts neighbors since 1873! Contact us today to schedule a propane delivery or to become a W.H. Riley & Son customer.