Stay Cool in Extreme Heat by Staying Safe
During these times of extreme heat, it’s even more important to adhere to the safety precautions that can help prevent potentially dangerous situations. As temperatures rise, the pressure in your propane tank can increase as the liquid tries to expand. Just like back in your old science class, things expand with heat. Your propane tank is no different. This is why propane tanks are never filled to 100% capacity. By only filling them to 80%, that extra 20% gives the liquid the ability to expand in higher temperatures and minimize issues.
BEFORE
- Make sure you know how and where to shut off your propane. Both outside when turning off the entire supply and inside for the individual appliances.
- Familiarize yourself and the members of your household with what propane smells like. It has a powerful odor, similar to rotten eggs or a skunk.
- Make sure you never store a propane cylinder inside or in an enclosed area.
- Have a carbon monoxide detector and a UL-listed propane gas detector installed inside. This will help detect if there is a leak in your propane system.
- Make sure your propane tank and propane grill have a 10-foot clearance from any dry brush or debris that may ignite easily. This includes leaves, brush, vegetation, rags, and any trash.
- Keep ignition sources away from all propane containers. This includes, but is not limited to, sparks, cigarettes, etc.
- Make sure your tank is painted in a light-reflecting color, most commonly white or tan.
DURING
- Keep an eye on your propane tank. Monitor to make sure there is not a sudden change in pressure.
- Cool down your tank by hosing it down with cool water from a garden hose. This will help lower the temperature of your tank and lower the pressure within it. It will also reduce the release of excess gas through your tank’s built-in safety feature, the pressure relief valve.
- As always, never use an outdoor propane appliance indoors or in an enclosed space. Doing so can result in CO2 poisoning.
AFTER
- Inspect your propane system and appliances for any damage when it is safe to do so. If there are any electric components that have been exposed to water, these can be a fire hazard.
- If you notice something on your propane tank or appliances that needs repair or modification, never try to adjust these on your own. Call your local DLE representatives if you see something that needs repair and we will send a technician out to assist you.
Share these steps with your family and anyone else that will be using your propane system. Heat waves can be dangerous, so take care and stay safe. If you have questions or are concerned about your propane system during a heat wave, reach out to your local DLE team and we’ll be there to assist you.
To learn more about Extreme Weather Safety visit our safety page
Printable Version of our DLE Summer 2022 Propane Press