If You Think You Smell Gas:
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No flames or sparks!
Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames.
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Do not
operate lights, appliances, electronics, or phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire.
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Leave the area immediately!
Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
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Shut off the gas
Turn of 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).
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Report the leak
From a neighbor’s home or other nearby building away from the gas leak, call your propane supplier right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fire department.
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Do not return to the building or area…
…until your propane supplier, emergency responder, or a qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.
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Get your system checked before reuse…
…before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances. Your propane retailer or a qualified service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.
Gasoline Safety Tips
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Keep gasoline out of children's sight and reach. Children should never handle gasoline.
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If fire does start while handling gasoline, do not attempt to extinguish the fire or stop the flow of gasoline. Leave the area immediately, and call for help.
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Do not use or store gasoline near possible ignition sources (i.e., electrical devices, oil- or gas-fired appliances, or any other device that contains a pilot flame or a spark).
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Store gasoline outside the home (i.e., in a garage or lawn shed) in a tightly closed metal or plastic container approved by an independent testing laboratory or the local or state fire authorities. Never store gasoline in glass containers or non-reusable plastic containers (i.e., milk jugs).
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Store only enough gasoline necessary to power equipment and let machinery cool before refueling it.
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Never use gasoline inside the home or as a cleaning agent.
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Clean up spills promptly and discard clean-up materials properly
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Clean up spills promptly and discard clean-up materials properly.
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Never use gasoline in place of kerosene.
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Use caution when fueling automobiles. Do not get in and out of the automobile when fueling. Although rare, an electrical charge on your body could spark a fire, especially during the dry winter months.
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Only fill portable gasoline containers outdoors. Place the container on the ground before filling and never fill containers inside a vehicle or in the bed of a pick-up truck.
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Follow all manufacturer’s instructions when using electronic devices (those with batteries or connected to an electrical outlet) near gasoline.
Diesel Saftey Tips
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Flammability: Diesel is not as flammable as gasoline and others but it can catch fire and can be very difficult to extinguish. Do not smoke around diesel fuel.
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Skin Exposure: Diesel fuel can be absorbed through the skin very easily. It can cause skin irritation, redness and even burns. If the diesel is not cleaned off, it will adsorb into the skin and cause symptoms identical to inhalation.
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Inhalation: If diesel vapors are inhaled it can cause dizziness, nausea and increased blood pressure, among other symptoms.
Safety Concerns while handling diesel:
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When fueling diesel powered vehicles or machinery, do so in a well-ventilated area.
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If machines especially generators must be used indoors or in enclosed spaces, extra ventilation should be provided to remove diesel exhaust. Make sure exhaust of diesel generators is exited away from the power plant and away from the people.
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Wear appropriate gloves when working with diesel!
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DO NOT USE VINYL OR BUTYL rubber gloves with diesel, as they offer no protection.
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Maintain diesel vehicles / generators well and routinely keep an eye on exhaust / emission(s).
How to limit harmful effects of diesel:
Fuel Oil Tips:
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Fumes
If you smell oil, it generally means your system requires maintenance. The fumes can be dangerous and may signal a crack or misalignment in your oil burner. When an oil burner ignites, it pressurizes the combustion chamber for a few seconds. The smoke from the unburned oil can move into the surrounding fresh air chamber–the heat exchanger—that then circulates into the house. If there is a crack or a hole in the heat exchanger, you will smell oil fumes or a sooty wall around a heating vent is another sign of internal problems with your system that need repair. Fumes you cannot smell like carbon monoxide are even more dangerous. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a by-product of combustion, present whenever fuel is burned and you cannot smell the fumes. Besides furnaces, any gas-fueled appliance produces it—clothes dryers, ovens, grills, fireplaces, etc. If your home is properly vented, CO will be safely directed outside. However, with a cracked heat exchanger, vents can become blocked and inadequate air supply for combustion appliances can force contaminated air back into the home. You will smell an oil odor (and possibly see smoke and soot), which should prompt you to call a technician, before any carbon monoxide is released. Ironically, the risks of carbon monoxide have increased in the past several years because sealing up and weatherizing our homes reduces ventilation. Even though the dangers of carbon monoxide are much lower in a house with an oil heat system (as opposed to a gas furnace), a CO detector (available at your local hardware store for about $20) is always a good idea.
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Fire
The chance of a fire from heating oil is extremely remote. Heating oil will not explode. In fact, if you drop a match into heating oil it will go out, as if it were dropped into water. Your oil must be heated to 140 degrees and vaporized before it will catch fire.
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Leaks
Oil heat means oil tanks, which require diligent maintenance. The biggest possible problem with an oil tank, whether your tank is indoors or outdoors, above or below ground, is the possibility of a leak. An oil leak is a serious problem; it can contaminate your drinking water, your soil, and cause health problems. It can also be very costly to repair. How do you know if you have a leak? Here are the most common signs:
A sharp, unexplained spike in consumption. If you’re not sure, your heating oil distributor should be able to track your fuel use, making sure it’s consistent with the weather.
A change in the performance of your furnace, or if your furnace is suddenly shutting off frequently.
Changes or loss of the vegetation around your tank (for outdoor tanks).
Oil odors in areas other than around the oil burner.
A different taste or odor to your water.
Oil or an oily sheen in your basement’s low point or drains, nearby culverts, ditches, storm drains, streams, or ponds.
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Other ways to check for a leak:
Some above ground oil tanks have a small oil-water separator (it looks like a small bowl at the bottom of the tank). A small amount of water in the separator is normal – usually condensation from the tank. But if there is a suddenly a lot of water, there might be a leak. If you have an above ground oil tank, check for signs of corrosion (rust), particularly at the bottom of the tank. Residential oil tanks usually rust from the inside out; so if signs of aging are visible, it’s probably time to replace the tank. Tanks that are 15 years old and older have a dramatically higher rate of rusting. You should check your tank vent as well to make sure it’s not clogged with ice, snow, or insect nests. A clogged vent may result in overfilling during refueling, which can cause a spill. The pipes, hoses, valves, and fittings connected to a tank can also be sources of leaks, especially in an older system.