Store Your Propane Tanks Properly This Winter

Important safety reminders

Propane can do a lot in and around your New England home. Fueling your grill is just the tip of the iceberg. You may use propane to heat your deck or patio well past the fall season or to keep your fire pit, outdoor generator, or mosquito traps running.

As a homeowner, you need to be familiar with the safety tips for a wide variety of appliances and objects in your home. The safe use of propane is no different. Here are some instructions for winterizing and safely storing your tank.

1. Leave it outside. Even as the temperatures drop, your propane tank should remain outdoors. Propane tanks should always be kept in a well-ventilated, shaded area and at least 10 feet from your home.
2. Turn it off. If you’ll be bringing your grill inside for the winter, be sure to turn off your propane tank and disconnect it. If your grill will remain outdoors, you can keep the tank connected, just make sure to turn the tank off.
3. Protect it. Unlike gasoline, propane fuel doesn’t need to be winterized. However, the tanks do need to be protected from the elements.
4. Check for leaks. Prior to storing your tank, do a careful inspection to make sure there are no leaks. Look closely at the valves, tank proper, and the connector hose. Conduct this inspection outside in bright and well-ventilated space and far from any open flames or other ignition sources.
5. Keep it stable. When storing your propane tank, it’s important to put it in a secure, level, and upright position. Keeping your tank upright protects against damage that could lead to leaks.
6. Cover it up. Use a plastic tarp to cover your propane tank and keep snow and ice from accumulating on it. Although cold doesn’t present a danger to your propane tank, any moisture that builds up could lead to tank-damaging rust.

Safety reminders

Although propane is extremely safe, it still needs to be handled mindfully. Here are some important safety reminders for your New England home this winter:

1. It’s important that all the adults in your household be able to shut off the flow of gas from your propane tank.
2. Everyone in your household should know that propane smells like rotten eggs, and that if they smell something, they need to act immediately.
3. Every floor of your home should have a carbon monoxide detector. Replace the batteries yearly. Replace the detectors every few years according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous, potentially fatal, gas. It’s also odorless and colorless. That’s why functioning CO detectors are so important for your family’s safety.
4. In addition to CO detectors, you may want to install propane leak detectors.

Hocon Cares

Founded in 1952, Hocon has grown to be one of the largest family-owned propane and heating oil distributors in Connecticut and western Massachusetts. Click here to find the branch serving your neighborhood.

Because of our size, Hocon is able to provide our customers with safe and reliable propane delivery at competitive prices. We also care about your safety. Click here for additional propane safety tips.

Contact Hocon today to experience the best service around.