5 Helpful Summer Propane Safety Tips

Read These Important Facts About Handling Propane Over the Summer Season!

The Southern Maine area is particularly beautiful in the summer months—and what better what to enjoy it at home than by using propane to make your backyard a fun, entertaining oasis for friends and family to gather? Propane can power all sorts of backyard appliances including grills, deck and patio heaters, pool and spa heaters, insect traps, firepits, and fireplaces to name just a few!

But to enjoy all of that, you need to know some important facts about propane safety and how to protect your home and loved ones. Here are five tips to help you with that:

1. Give Propane Appliances Proper Space

Propane-burning equipment like grills need a clear space around them. They need to be kept away from anything combustible like fences, deck railings, siding, and materials that emit combustible fumes, such as paint or other finishing product.

Your grill, along with your propane deck or patio heater, firepit, or fireplace must be at least three feet away from all doors and windows on your home as well as 10 feet away from any air intake devices. This is to reduce the risk of propane vapor getting into your home.

Keep children and pets at least three feet away from outdoor propane equipment—especially when it’s in use.

2. Utilize Safe Grilling Practices

These propane safety best practices can prevent your next cookout from ending prematurely with an inconvenient situation.

• Did you know that one out of five grill fires are caused by grease? Make sure to empty the grease trap after each use. Clean your entire grill inside and out regularly to avoid a grease fire.
• Keep the grill lid open until you are absolutely sure the grill is fully lit.
• NEVER use your propane BBQ grill indoors or in an enclosed or covered area like a garage. Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can build up which can be potentially lethal. It is also odorless and colorless, so you won’t be able to tell if there’s too much until it’s too late.
• To ensure your grill does not tip over, place it on steady, level ground rather than a grassy, uneven surface.
• NEVER leave a lit grill unattended. Make sure you have everything you need before you start the grill or designate someone to bring supplies out to you.
• If the igniter on your grill is broken, don’t use it. Consider buying a grill with automatic ignition.

3. Properly Transport Propane Cylinders

When planning to exchange or refill your propane cylinder, do not leave it in the car for long periods of time, especially during hot weather.

If possible, come straight to your nearest propane cylinder exchange site. If that’s not possible, plan your outing so that the last stop is at a propane exchange site before heading home.

Always keep your tanks upright when moving them, whether they’re empty or full. Propane can leak from a sideways tank.

Do not smoke when handling or near propane cylinders.

4. Correctly Store Propane Cylinders

Many of us own more than one propane cylinder to ensure that we have enough for a cookout. Make sure those extra cylinders are always be stored outdoors. Never store them indoors or in a garage, carport, shed or sunporch.

5. Always Work With a Professional for Maintenance, Repairs, and Installation

Propane appliances must be installed according to instructions from the manufacturer as well as all propane regulations, codes, and standards—many of which are NOT a DIY job.

Have your outdoor propane appliances inspected and serviced every year by a professional propane service technician, which we can do for you as well! Clean and inspect your equipment frequently throughout the summer to spot any potential signs of problems.

Have questions about propane safety? Please get in touch with us. We’re glad to answer all of them.

With offices in Gorham and Bridgton, PitStop Fuels is ready to take care of your local propane delivery, installation, service and repair needs—fast!