OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Oct. 05, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hurricane Matthew, a Category 4 storm currently packing wind speeds of 125 miles per hour and threatening coastal areas with heavy rains, high surf, and flooding, is making its way toward the southeast United States. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm could make landfall in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, or North Carolina between Thursday evening and Sunday.
If you’re a propane user in Hurricane Matthew’s path, the Employee-Owners of Ferrellgas, a nationwide propane company with locations throughout the southeast United States, urge you to keep the following safety tips in mind.
- Make sure you have enough propane in your tank to last a few days.
- Make a list of instructions on how to turn off the electricity, propane, and water.
- NEVER put or keep a propane cylinder inside or in an enclosed area such as a basement, garage, shed, or tent.
- If you live in a flood zone, make sure your large propane tanks are fastened down securely.
- Review propane safety information provided by your propane retailer.
If you smell gas, at any time, inside or outside your home:
- Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire.
- LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY! Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
- SHUT OFF THE GAS! Turn off 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).
- REPORT THE LEAK. From a neighbor’s home or other building away from the gas leak, call your propane retailer right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fire department.
- DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA until your propane retailer, emergency responder, or a qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.
- GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED. 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.
About Ferrellgas
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., through its operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., and subsidiaries, serves propane customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and provides midstream services to major energy companies in the United States. Ferrellgas employees indirectly own 22.8 million common units of the partnership, through an employee stock ownership plan. Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. filed a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2016. Investors can request a hard copy of this filing free of charge and obtain more information about the partnership online at www.ferrellgas.com.