How To Keep Yourself And Your Loved Ones Safe

Propane has an outstanding safety record, thanks to strict government regulations, high industry standards, and the commitment of propane companies like Blue Flame to the safety of our customers.

But you still need to know what to do if you smell propane gas. The smell is commonly described as being like rotten eggs. Since propane in odorless, the propane industry adds an odorant (the source of the rotten-egg smell) to it so a leak can be easily detected.

Steps To Safety During A Gas Leak

If you do smell that rotten-egg odor, here are the steps you need to take.

Get rid of risks. Put out cigarettes, cigars, candles, and any other open flames. Don’t operate any electrical appliances, including light switches or telephones.

Get out IMMEDIATELY. Make sure everyone is out of the home or the area where you smelled gas.
Turn off the gas. If you can safely access it, shut off the main gas supply valve from your propane tank (turn it clockwise).

Get help. As soon as you are safely away from where you smelled gas, call 911 and Blue Flame.

Sit tight. Stay away from the area while first responders and propane service technicians do their work and make sure that it’s safe to go back. A professional service technician is required to relight the pilots on all propane appliances. Wait until you get permission to return from first responders and the propane professional on-site.

Propane Detectors Save Lives!

While that odorant added to propane is there to make it easy to smell, sometimes, you may not smell it.
Rust or water in your propane tank, a rare occurrence, can inhibit that odor. You may have a cold or allergies, making it harder to smell things. A case of COVID-19 may have affected your sense of smell. Older people sometimes lose some of their sense of smell. Smoking tobacco, drug use, medications, and alcohol can also inhibit your sense of smell.

Our commitment to propane safety is why we urge all our propane delivery customers to install propane detectors in their homes.

Your carbon monoxide detector, while essential for protecting your home and family, will likely not detect propane. So, a propane detector is needed. Propane detectors are generally inexpensive, and you can find them at your local hardware or home improvement store, or online.

Install propane detectors near wherever there are propane appliances in your home, such as your furnace or boiler, water heater, propane range, or fireplace. They also should be installed outside sleeping areas and any rooms where you use a propane space heater. Because propane is heavier than air, propane detectors need to be installed low on the wall, no higher than the top of your mattress.

Have questions about propane safety? Get in touch with us. We’re happy to help!