Daily and weekly habits

  • Smell test near combustion appliances — if you ever smell rotten eggs near your furnace, water heater or range, leave and call your dealer
  • Listen for unusual sounds — hissing, whistling at the tank, regulator or appliance is a flag
  • Watch for unusual flames — yellow or wavering flame on burners (should be blue and steady), indicating possible combustion issue

Monthly

  • Check tank gauge — confirm fuel level matches expectations
  • Visual inspection of tank dome, regulator, visible piping — look for rust, frost, dead vegetation near buried lines
  • Test CO detectors — press the test button, replace batteries if needed

Annually

  • Schedule professional inspection of every combustion appliance and the tank system
  • Clean vent caps and intakes — animal nests, leaves, snow accumulation block proper combustion air supply
  • Replace CO detector batteries (or detector itself if at end of life)
  • Review your insurance coverage — confirm propane-related incidents are covered

Things to never do

  • Never DIY any work on the propane tank, regulator, or gas piping
  • Never operate the system after a run-out without a licensed leak test (NFPA 58 requirement)
  • Never store propane cylinders indoors or in attached garages
  • Never use outdoor propane equipment indoors — grills, patio heaters, camp stoves
  • Never paint the regulator, valves, or fittings — paint can interfere with venting and movement
  • Never ignore an end-of-life chirp on a CO detector

What to teach household members

  • The smell of propane (rotten eggs / skunk / decay) — request scratch-and-sniff cards from your dealer
  • The three-step emergency procedure: LEAVE, SHUT OFF, CALL
  • What NOT to do during a leak (no switches, no phones inside, no flame)
  • Where the tank service valve is and how to shut it off
  • Emergency contact numbers — dealer + 911

FAQ

What's the single most important safety action?

Working CO detectors on every occupied floor. CO from incomplete combustion has caused more US propane fatalities than any other cause. A $30 CO detector saves lives.

Should I take a propane safety class?

Not typically necessary for residential customers — your dealer's customer-education materials and the practices on this page cover the essentials. Workplace propane users (forklift operators, commercial cooks) often complete formal safety training.

Going further