fuel safety tips

We Want to Help You Stay Safe

We strive to keep you warm and comfortable with our fuel services. We also want you to stay safe no matter what kind of heat source you use for your home or business. Safety starts with common sense. If something seems dangerous consult a professional and follow all safety procedures.

Here are some practical safety tips to help keep you and your family safe.

• Install and maintain smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
• Test smoke alarms monthly
• Never use your oven to heat your home
• Keep anything that can burn a least three feet away from heating equipment
• Never hang anything from gas pipes or fuel oil pipes
• Teach your children what to do in case of an emergency

With any application and practice common sense is the key, we all need to be reminded sometimes of the little things we may take for granted.  When heating your home, it is important to take some everyday thought into being safe.

• Keep all-purpose fire extinguishers on each floor of your home. Check them regularly and know how to use them.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Space heaters should always be placed at least three feet from furniture, walls and anything that could ignite from the heat.
• Only use the manufacturer-recommended fuel in your portable heater.
• Never add fuel to a space heater while it’s in use. Wait until it has been turned off and cooled down completely, and then take it outdoors to fill it with fuel.
• Keep children and pets away from space heaters at all times.

Propane Gas Safety Tips

What to do if you suspect a gas leak:

• Immediately put our all smoking material and any other open flames.  Refrain from using lights, appliances or phones, flames or sparks from these items can trigger a fire or explosion.
• Propane is heavier than air. The vapor will descend to the lowest point, for example, your basement. Avoid these areas when a leak is suspected.
• Leave the area and go to a safe place
• If possible shut off the gas source.  Know the location of the shut off valves on appliances and how to use them.  On a propane gas tank close the valve by turning it to the right (clockwise)
• From a safe location report the leak.  If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call the fire department.  Do not return to the property until it has been determined that it is safe and your gas system has been thoroughly inspected.

General safety guidelines for propane gas

• Tampering with your propane system my cause a potentially dangerous situation.  Any modifications or alterations should be performed by authorized and trained professionals.
• The easiest way to detect a propane leak is by a very unpleasant odor (rotten egg smell)
• Never tamper with your system’s supply lines, regulators, safety devices or storage tank fittings.
• Never use an open flame to test for propane leaks.
• Have your propane gas furnace or boiler inspected before using it for the first time every year.  Also make sure to have any vents, chimney’s or flues inspected as well.
• Please have your propane system checked if you have any of the following symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, dizziness, loss of muscular control, vomiting, and watering of the eyes.
• Prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning is listed in the following steps: Never use range burners as space heaters. Never use propane heaters that are not intended for indoor use. Never use a barbecue grill indoors. Have all propane appliances tested regularly by a qualified technician. Always make sure there is plenty of ventilation.  Carbon monoxide detectors are available at most hardware stores.