Propane Safety Guidelines
Safety First
Propane is a safe, effective and efficient fuel for your home heating and home comfort systems. But like any energy source, propane requires proper care for safe equipment operation. Learn more about safety information—videos, severe weather info, appliance operation guidelines and more.
- Safety in the Home
- Grilling Safety
- Generator Safety
- Material Safety Data Sheets
Read general safety guidelines for the home:
- Propane leaks can have an odor like rotten eggs. Educate your family so they can recognize the smell.
- If you smell a leak, leave the house and contact us or your local fire department immediately. When you leave the house, do not touch any electrical outlets or light switches.
- Propane leak detectors are available at your local hardware store.
- Know the layout of your gas service lines, especially if you are doing any type of landscaping or renovations.
- If you suspect your gas appliance has been damaged by water or flooding, have a Paraco technician check and service your system.
- All propane furnaces should be cleaned regularly. Refer to your owner’s manual or contact us for cleaning instructions.
- If sediment builds up in your propane-fueled water heater, drain your tank until water runs clean. Refer to your owner’s manual or contact us for instructions.
- Have your propane range serviced if the flames are not blue. Yellow flames indicate blockage to the air inlets, or that an adjustment to the burner may be needed. Contact Paraco for service.
- Do not line your propane range with tinfoil; it restricts air circulation.
- Never use a propane gas range or grill to heat your home.
If you have any questions about safety for your propane grill, please contact us at safety@paracogas.com.
Before you head outside to grill, read our BBQ safety guidelines:
- There is nothing better than grilling in the summertime—as long as you do it safely. Safety should always be your top concern when operating propane grills—or any other propane equipment.
These tips will help keep your family safe when operating a propane grill.
Before lighting the grill…
- Carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions before turning on and lighting your propane grill for the first time. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which supersede any guidelines shown here!
- Choose a well-ventilated area for your grill, such as a patio or driveway. Do not grill indoors.
- Turn all knobs to the “off” position before opening the lid or valves.
- Open the grill lid to release any trapped propane vapors before starting the grill.
- Always keep the top open when lighting your grill. Do not close it until the grill is lit.
- Always turn the propane cylinder valve slowly to start gas flow.
- Ignite the burners that are closest to the gas flow first (if your ignition source is to the far right of the grill, for example, turn on the burner that is farther to the right first). Open the remaining burners in order from those closest to the ignition source to those farthest away from it.
- If the grill doesn’t light, keep the grill lid open and turn off the gas valve to clear away fumes before trying again.
Once the grill is lit…
- Keep pets and children away from the grill while it is lit.
- Burn off residual grease from the grill before adding new foods.
- The lid may be closed once the grill is lit.
- Stay close to the grill, and keep it in sight at all times once it is lit.
To shut down the grill…
- Shut off the control knobs first, then turn off the tank.
- Allow the grill to cool before returning the grill cover.
To safely store your extra tanks…
- Choose a well-ventilated outdoor location. Do not store extra propane tanks in your home, garage or shed.
- Choose a flat, low-traffic location with a solid, nonflammable surface (like concrete). Avoid storing tanks on surfaces that gather moisture (such as grass or dirt) to prevent tank rust.
- Keep the tank upright at all times to ensure that the relief valve can remain functional.
- Make sure the valve is closed when storing the propane tank.
- Keep the tank away from heat sources.
If you have any questions about safety for your propane grill, please check out this guide or contact us at safety@paracogas.com.
These tips will help keep your family safe when operating a propane generator:
- Always read and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines before setting up and running your propane generator for the first time.
Never operate a generator inside your home, garage, basement, shed, crawl space or other enclosed area. Keep it in a dry, well-ventilated space.
Keep your generator at least 20 feet away from your home and away from open window, vents or doors.
Keep a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector in your home. Odorless carbon monoxide fumes can enter your home through cracks in your windows, doors or attic vents. You’ll want an alert system in your home so you can reposition the generator if necessary.
Follow the maintenance plans suggested by the manufacturer for peak performance and safety. Paraco customers can take advantage of our Exterior Maintenance Plan, which covers service to your exterior propane appliances.
Never operate your portable generator near combustible materials.
Always use extension cords that are grounded and properly rated for the application. Coiled cords can become extremely hot; take caution to uncoil cords and lay them in flat, open locations.
Do not plug your portable generator directly into your home outlet. Ask a qualified electrician about installing a power transfer switch.
Keep your generator as dry as possible. Generators can produce powerful voltage. Take extra precautions to keep your generator from exposure to rain and snow.
If you have any questions about propane generator safety, please contact us at safety@paracogas.com.