Following an exploding propane tank that injured four Krotz Springs residents at a crawfish boil over the past weekend, Ville Platte Fire Chief Chris Soileau offered the following safety tips for outdoor cooking, especially with the Memorial Day weekend approaching.
Always check replacement tanks for dents, rust, and leaks, and make sure it isn’t outdated, overly or improperly filled or has faulty connections.
Before you turn on your tank or grill, check hoses for damage or kinks and make sure they aren’t aged or worn. Check that the connections are free of leaks and are tight.
Propane gas is heavier than air and a leak would cause it to remain close to the ground where people and possible ignition sources are.
Keep your gas grill at least five feet from obstructions including trees, outdoor furniture, and your house. High pressure propane burners require an open-well ventilated area for safe operation.
Keep a fire extinguisher available, and make sure it works!
Turn off both the burner control and the cylinder valve when you finish cooking.
Never store propane indoors – always keep tanks outside, covered, and stored vertically.
Clean your propane grill regularly; leftover grease causes about one in five grill fires – more than any other factor.
NEVER grill indoors, where odorless, deadly carbon monoxide can accumulate.
Just remember to do it safely: every year accidents happen in backyards across the country for reasons that can easily be avoided.
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Tony Marks
Editor