Propane Safety During Tornado Season

June is among the peak months for tornadoes in Iowa, with May being the other. However, tornadoes can occur at any time or day of the year.

Weather data shows that on average, our state experiences 48 tornadoes per year. The most common time of day for tornadoes to occur is between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Where do I go during a tornado?

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an underground area, such as a basement or storm cellar, provides the best protection from a tornado.

If an underground shelter is unavailable, however, consider these options:

• Seek a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible
• Stay away from doors, windows, and outside walls
• Stay in the center of the room, and avoid corners because they attract debris
• Shelter in rooms constructed with reinforced concrete, brick or block, with no windows, and a heavy concrete floor or roof system overhead
• Avoid taking shelter in auditoriums, cafeterias and gymnasiums that have flat, wide-span roofs.

After the storm passes

• Inspect your property. Look for downed trees, tree limbs, and power lines that could potentially damage your home or propane tank. Check all your propane appliances for signs of damage or improper function. If your power is out, do not use candles to examine your equipment – this could create a very dangerous situation if there is a propane gas leak.
• Call your propane service provider if you suspect damage has occurred. Your propane technician will inspect and test your equipment to make sure everything is working safely and correctly.

Propane gas leaks: know how to detect them

Make sure everyone in your family knows the distinctive rotten-egg smell of propane, and what to do if they detect it. Knowing that smell can help you identify a potentially dangerous leak that could worsen if your propane tank is damaged during a storm.

We also urge you to install propane detectors in your home, which can detect a propane leak even in the absence of its telltale odor. Here’s what to do if you smell gas.

Do you have an emergency plan?

Make sure all adults living in the house know how to shut the gas main off at your propane tank, and do this if you choose to evacuate your home. This will prevent damaged tanks from creating dangerous leaks that could ignite in your absence.

Propane cylinder safety in the aftermath of the storm

This is also a timely opportunity to share recommended practices for the safe handling of propane cylinders that have been potentially damaged. Natural disasters such as tornadoes can result in the exposure of cylinders to a variety of hazardous conditions, including impact from flying debris and damage from falls.

Obviously, any damage can affect their integrity and safe operation of cylinders and related equipment. Keep in mind that the cylinder contents are stored under pressure, which can cause the contents to leak if the container or related equipment is damaged.

Cylinders that are damaged or leaking can pose serious hazards and must be addressed only by trained emergency responders with HAZMAT training or the cylinder supplier. You should never attempt to vent or even handle cylinders that you suspect have been damaged.

Contact information for the cylinder supplier is listed on the cylinder label. If a label is not present, the cylinder neck ring can be used to identify the cylinder supplier.

Read more propane safety tips.