According to the National Propane Gas Association, more than 50 million Americans use propane daily for tasks such as heating and cooling homes, cooking, heating water, and fueling gas fireplaces. Unfortunately, some people do not pay proper attention to safety warnings, putting their lives and the lives of others at risk. In other cases, accidents are caused by negligence on the part of propane suppliers or appliance manufacturers. In most cases, accidents involving propane explosions cause serious injuries and sometimes death.
A Texas man was in critical condition after an explosion at his home on November 17. The man was able to get to a neighbor's home to call for help, but suffered severe burns in the explosion. The victim was apparently lighting a propane cook stove when the explosion, which blew windows and pieces of blinds across his yard, occurred.
Another Texas man was killed in an explosive fire on November 25. Firefighters who attended this fire had to contend with ammunition, gasoline tanks, oxygen tanks, and propane tanks at the man's home. The various chemicals likely led to the numerous explosions that occurred within the home.
A Florida man is lucky to be alive after a fire at his home reached his propane tanks, setting off a series of explosions. The fire was started after he turned on a space heater in his home. The heater likely started the fire, which grew after the propane tanks in the home exploded. Luckily, the homeowner escaped through a window before the explosions occurred.
The National Propane Gas Association has some tips for protecting your home from propane gas troubles. Make sure you and your family can recognize the smell of a propane leak and also install a propane leak detector in your home. Propane retailers should be have propane leak detectors for sale and they have scratch-and-sniff cards that smell like leaked propane.
If your appliance gas controls have been exposed to water, for example from flooding, have a trained technician replace them immediately. This is because water can damage internal safety mechanisms in gas controls.
If you have a propane range in your home, pay attention to its flame and have the range serviced if the flame is not blue. A yellow flame indicates that air inlets are clogged or adjustments to the burners are needed.
Never, ever use gas ranges to heat your home and do not ever bring propane cylinders indoors or into enclosed spaces such as garages.
If you smell a propane leak, always leave your home immediately and call the authorities from your neighbor's home. Do not try to locate the propane leak yourself.