How to Prepare Your Home for Winter Storms

December 20, 2021

As the season for severe winter weather approaches, make sure your family and your property are prepared for whatever the winter brings.

Winter storms can create high winds, treacherous roads and drop significant snowfall. If you find your home in the projected path of a winter storm this season, consider taking proactive steps to safeguard your property. It’s never too soon to review a few safety precautions that will go a long way to ensuring your home is prepared for winter storms.

Get to know your propane system if you are not familiar with it.

Identify core components—tank, regulators, meter, piping, and supply valves—as well as any appliance vents. Be sure you know how to turn the gas supply off on your propane tank in the event of an emergency.

Mark your tank and regulator.

Mark your tank with a brightly colored stake or flag taller than the maximum anticipated snow depth. This can help emergency and propane service personnel locate your tank quickly when needed.

Keep an adequate supply of propane in your tank.

Roads leading to your home may become inaccessible for delivery after a heavy snowstorm. MFA Oil offers an Auto-Fill Program that guarantees your tank will never run empty. If you’re a Will-Call customer responsible for monitoring your propane supply, check the gauge on the tank regularly. We recommend you call for delivery whenever your tank levels are between 40% and 20%.

Talk to your contractors.

If you use a snow removal service, make sure that the service knows the location of all propane equipment on the property.

Keep snow and ice from accumulating on propane equipment.

Gently brush away snow or ice accumulated around the tank, meter, regulator and any other piping using a broom or by hand.

Be alert to snow buildup on rooftops and other areas.

Frequently check where snow or ice collects on your roof, structure or nearby trees and clear it if you believe it might fall on any part of your propane system.

Keep vents clear.

Appliance vents and chimney flues need to be clear of snow or ice, too. Some homes may have “direct” vents, which are close to the ground.

Clear driveways and pathways to propane tanks.

When clearing snow, remember that a propane delivery truck needs at least a 10-foot-wide path to be able to deliver fuel to your home. Also, keep the tank area and walkway to the tank as free of snow as possible.

For more safety information about protecting your propane home during a winter storm or blizzard, visit Propane.com.

View More Posts on Similar Topics:

Propane Safety