September 5, 2017 – Hurricane Irma was just upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane. – Weather.com
To Floridian’s, it goes without saying – hurricanes are devastating, cause extreme property damage and can endanger the lives of thousands of people; we live with the threat each and every year. In the 2016 season, Florida’s Gulf Coast in areas such as Steinhatchee seen flooding and property/business damage from Hurricane Hermine.
This season, after seeing the devastating effects and aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in Texas, it’s critical that we prepare with adequate timing and don’t underestimate these storms. If you need feel more comfortable evacuating, you should do so.
You may also be interested in Flood Preparedness | Power Outages
What you need to know and how to avoid potential LP Gas dangers:
- Make sure above- and below-ground propane tanks are securely anchored down. The NFPA requires you do this.
- Create an emergency plan including contact information and how to turn off the propane, water and electric supply and review it with everyone in your family – make sure they know where to find this information.
- If you have to turn off your propane, contact a professional at J&J Gas to inspect your propane system before turning it back on to prevent any potentially dangerous situations.
- Have an adequate supply of propane in your tank. During and after hurricanes, propane may not be available or the roads leading to your home or farm might not be reachable.
- In the event that a hurricane threatens your safety, you should shut off the main gas supply by turning the valve on your tank clockwise. It is good practice to shut off the gas supply valves on indoor appliances as well.
- When it’s safe, after a hurricane passes check your area for damages to power lines, gas lines and propane tank. If it is dark DO NOT use a candle, only flashlights.
- If you find any power source or its parts damaged, contact a professional right away. Do not attempt repairs yourself.
- If you find that your propane tank has become dislodged/missing or find a tank that isn’t yours, contact a propane professional or local fire department immediately.
- Never use outdoor propane appliances indoors, especially during an outage. Only use indoor appliances for inside use ad never store, place or use a gas cylinder indoors.
- Inspect your gas appliances for water or other damage – if the electrical component were exposed to water they can create a fire hazard. Do not ever turn on a light switch, use any power source or inspect your appliances while standing in water.
- Call a professional service tech like J&J Gas Service to perform a complete propane system inspection – even if you only suspect any propane appliance, equipment or vehicle was underwater.
Download these safety tips
for even more tips on keeping you and your family safe during this hurricane season.source: weather.com – 10 years later, Wilma still the last hurricane to hit Florida
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