Written on: March 22, 2021
Winter is almost in the rearview mirror here in southeastern Wisconsin. Soon there will be Brewers games at the newly renamed American Family Field again. We’ll be getting out the propane grill and enjoying our back yards.
Propane has an outstanding safety record, due to high industry safety standards. But you still need to know how to use propane safely and take care of your loved ones.
Start with your propane tank. Learn where and how to shut off your supply from your propane tank. Read the owner’s manual for all of your propane appliances. Learn how they operate, and how to shut off the propane supply for them if you need to. If you have questions, contact us and we’ll be glad to help you with them.
As the weather warms up, you’ll be using propane cylinders more often for your grill, deck and patio heaters, firepit, camp stove, and more. Know how to use and transport them safely.
When transporting cylinders, keep them upright to prevent leaks. Even an empty propane cylinder may still have enough propane to leak. Don’t leave cylinders in the car for very long, especially in hot weather. Boehlke Bottled Gas has cylinder exchange locations at convenience stores, gas stations, home improvement stores, and grocery stores all over our service area, so it will be easy for you to exchange your tank and return directly home.
NEVER store propane cylinders indoors or in a basement, sunporch, carport, or shed. Store them outdoors, out of direct sunlight, and on a dry, level surface.
A propane whole-house generator provides comfort, peace of mind, and security when your home loses power. Now is the time to make sure it is ready to work in the event of a power outage.
If you haven’t done so already, have it serviced by a professional service technician. Always have enough propane in your generator’s propane tank to last at least a week. If there isn’t, contact us to request a propane delivery.
Start your generator at least once a month and let it run for at least 20 minutes. Power it up to a full load and pay close attention for any problems.
Propane on its own has no smell. An odorant is added during processing to give it a distinctive smell so a propane leak can be detected. The smell is usually described as being like rotten eggs. Make sure everyone of all ages in your home knows that—as detecting that smell is important in identifying a possible leak.
Carbon monoxide (CO) has no smell and is colorless. It is also dangerous and potentially deadly. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Install according to manufacturer’s instructions. Check your CO detectors when you change your smoke detector batteries twice a year. Carbon monoxide detectors need to be replaced after five years.
Carbon monoxide detectors do not detect propane leaks. And sometimes the rotten-egg smell of propane isn’t smelled in a leak. Medical conditions such as allergies or COVID-19, age, or use of smoking tobacco can interfere with your sense of smell. In very rare cases, water or rust in the propane tank can eliminate propane’s distinctive smell.
We urge our customers to install propane leak detectors in their home. They should be near all propane appliances and outside all sleeping areas—like smoke or carbon monoxide detectors.
For safe, reliable propane delivery in southeastern Wisconsin, Boehlke Bottled Gas can’t be beat! Become a customer today.