Propane Safety for North Texas Homes & Businesses

Propane provides comfort, reliability, and consistent performance to many homes and businesses, but like all fuels, it should be handled with care. Your safety is Northwest Propane Gas Company’s top priority. For that reason, we have provided a variety of propane safety tips and information to help keep you, your home, or your business safe. If you have additional questions about propane safety, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. We are here to answer any questions you may have.

If you believe you are facing a propane leak, please call 911 or your local fire department. Northwest Propane offers after-hour emergency response for current customers and Northwest Propane-owned community tank installations.

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Family by Fireplace

Propane Is a Safe and Reliable Energy Source 

Propane has been used safely in homes and businesses for decades. When installed, maintained, and used properly, it provides dependable energy for heating, cooking, and more. 

Propane Safety Tips

Following these basic propane safety guidelines helps ensure your system runs efficiently and safely year-round.

  • Keep the area around propane equipment clear of clutter, debris, and combustible materials.
  • Never store flammable liquids near propane equipment and appliances.
  • Make sure appliance and equipment vents and exhaust areas remain unobstructed.
  • Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and test them regularly.
  • Only use propane appliances for their intended purposes.
  • Never modify propane appliances or lines yourself.
Closeup shot of blue fire from stove top

What to Do If You Smell Gas

Propane is naturally odorless. A chemical odorant is added to make gas leaks more easily detectable. The smell is unpleasant and strong. It is typically described to smell like sulfur, rotten eggs, or skunk spray.

If you smell gas in your home, follow these steps:

  1. NO FLAMES OR SPARKS. Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire.
  2. LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY. Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
  3. SHUT OFF THE GAS. Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
  4. REPORT THE LEAK. From a neighbor’s home or other nearby building away from the gas leak, call Northwest Propane right away. If you can’t reach us, call 911 or your local fire department.
  5. DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA until Northwest Propane, an emergency responder, or a qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.
  6. GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED. Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, Northwest Propane or a qualified service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.

Additional Propane Safety Resources

Utilize these easy-to-digest propane safety videos from the Propane Education and Research Council to have a better understanding of your system and the best ways to handle potential propane-related emergencies.

If You Suspect a Gas Leak

How to Turn Your Propane Tank Off

How to Read a Propane Tank Gauge

 

 

Getting Your Propane System Inspected

Hurricane Propane Safety Tips

Flood Propane Safety Tips