Travel Trailers and Propane Gas Safety
Release Date: December 15, 2005
Release Number: 1605-160
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MONTGOMERY , Ala. -- Evacuees and displaced residents affected by Hurricane Katrina who currently reside in travel trailers use propane as their cooking, furnace heating, and water heating source. When dealing with propane, safety is important. If used properly, propane is a safe and relatively low flammable gas. It has the lowest flammability rating of any alternative fuel and is safer than liquid gasoline since it is a gas and cannot be ingested.
Many travel trailer residents may be heating with propane for the first time. With that in mind, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would like to make residents aware that propane tanks can leak.
The easiest way to determine if you have a propane leak is by the smell . The pungent, sulfurous odor that propane emits (like rotten eggs) may indicate a leak. Propane gas can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Never assume the odor of gas is a sign that your tank is running low. Residents should not try to change or tamper with their propane fuel system if they believe there is a leak. If you think the system is not functioning properly or you have a safety concern, take these steps for your family's safety:
- Call the Alabama travel trailer maintenance number--866-453-9118 to report the leak.
- Extinguish all cigarettes, smoking materials and any other open flames or sources of ignition.
- Avoid touching electrical switches or appliances, as a spark from one of these could ignite the gas.
- Shut off the gas supply at the tank.
- Stay outside and leave the gas off until the leak has been found and fixed.
Since carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas, it is hard to detect without proper carbon monoxide detectors. Have your propane system checked if you have any of the following symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, dizziness, loss of muscular control, vomiting, and watering of the eyes. High exposure to carbon monoxide can cause death.
Make sure your family is not exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning by keeping the following in mind:
- Never use range burners as space heaters.
- Never use propane heaters that are not intended for indoor use.
- Never use barbecue grills indoors.
- Always make sure there is plenty of ventilation.
- Have in place Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved carbon monoxide detectors, available at most hardware stores.
For more information on safety when using propane, contact the Alabama Propane Gas Association by calling 800-242-2742 or online at alabamapropane.com and click on "Consumer Safety."
Last Modified: Thursday, 15-Dec-2005 16:45:13