Hurricane Season 2020 has officially arrived.
A propane-powered home provides the residents excellent benefits both for personal comfort and energy-wise. But when bad weather like a hurricane hits, it’s important to ensure that you keep your family safe, and that includes abiding by proper propane safety measures.
Before a Hurricane
- Make sure you have an adequate supply of propane in your tank. It’s important to ensure you keep sufficient supply of propane in your tank to keep the system running smoothly during bad weather (ask us about Automatic Delivery). If the hurricane aftermath is extended, propane and other fuels may not be readily available, and the roads may be inaccessible for a few days. But you’ll be up and running with no problem with adequate supply and Automatic Delivery!
- Prep your propane tank for hurricane season. In flood zone areas, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) requires that large above-ground and underground propane tanks be anchored securely to avoid potentially dangerous situations. We can help ensure your tank is hurricane-ready, especially if you are in a flood zone.
- Learn how to turn off your propane tank and indoor propane appliances. Keep a list of instructions detailing how to perform all shutoffs.
- Create an emergency preparedness plan. Review it regularly with your family and make a preparedness kit in order to keep them safe during a potential disaster.
During a Hurricane
- Evacuate when necessary. Listen to your local authorities, or television and radio stations, for instructions on the appropriate course of action to take with regards to evacuating your area if necessary.
- If a hurricane threatens your safety, shut off your propane. Whether it is determined that you should stay or leave, shut off your propane if the hurricane is going to directly threaten your home. To turn off the main supply valve on your propane tank, turn the valve to the right (clockwise). Never turn the gas back on yourself. Contact us for assistance in turning it back on.
After a Hurricane
- Use caution when returning home. If an evacuation was ordered, wait until local authorities have announced it is safe to return.
- Check for damage. After the hurricane danger passes and it’s safe to do so, check the area for downed power lines, damaged gas lines, or damage to your propane tank.
- Call your service technician. If you suspect any of your propane appliances or equipment have been underwater or they have been damaged, or you have turned off your gas supply, schedule a time for a qualified service technician to perform a complete inspection of your propane system. The technician can also perform a leak test on the system and re-light your pilot lights.
- Standby until your system is inspected. Do not use or operate appliances or equipment, or turn on the propane supply, until your system has been inspected by one of our qualified service technicians.
To keep the comforts of propane in your home during inclement weather, a standby propane generator is a reliable way to protect your home during weather-related power outages. Give us a call today and an Energy Consultant can assist you with sizing a backup propane generator for your home.
