South Frontenac Fire and Rescue sounding the alarm on low propane tanks

They say tanks that are low on propane often results in furnaces and appliances not working and may trigger carbon monoxide alarms.

South Frontenac residents are being reminded to maintain their propane tanks throughout the winter months.

The Township's Fire and Rescue attended nine homes over the last couple of weeks where propane tanks were low or completely empty. That has resulted in the inside temperature of buildings being low and hot water tanks going into safe mode.

They say when tanks are low, furnaces or gas fireplaces don't run properly. If an appliance attempts to start with a tank that is low on propane, it will constantly give off a sulfer-like smell similar to rotten eggs.

When furnaces continue to attempt to ignite, it will cause incomplete combustion which may trigger carbon monoxide alarms. 

Fire officials are advising homeowners with appliances that run on propane to contact their supplier if the tank is below 30 percent.

They say four of the nine home they attended had tanks equipped with remote monitoring to advise the company when the levels are low but the propane still ran out.

Story by Ken Hashizume
 

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