How to be Prepared for your Winter Propane and Heating Oil Deliveries
It is time to ring in the New Year! We can finally kiss 2020 goodbye!
This year, it is predicted that we are going to have a cold and snowy winter. Here at Patterson Fuels, we want to make sure our customers are fully prepared. In today's blog, we will cover what to do when you’re expecting a delivery as well as some other winter-related safety tips.
So you’ve gotten the call, you are scheduled for a delivery tomorrow but there has been a little snow squall that came in overnight. The first step is to access your driveway. It is paramount that you make sure your driveway is plowed and sanded. Delivery trucks can weigh anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000 when loaded. That amount of weight can’t stop on a dime especially when driveways are snowy and slippery. After you’ve addressed your driveway you now need to make sure the delivery driver can make it to your tank and/or fill pipes. It is important to make sure you have shoveled a path so the driver can fill your tank. Vermont’s weather is very unpredictable so being proactive and having a plan ahead of the storm is important.
Now that you have safely received your delivery, it is important to make sure your vents are clear. Having a clear vent will ensure that your system runs safely and efficiently. A blocked vent is dangerous and can potentially lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. It is imperative that your home have a working carbon monoxide detector. It is also the law. Whether you just built your home or moved into a new home, the law states “a single-family dwelling shall install one or more smoke detectors, and one or more carbon monoxide detectors in the vicinity of any bedrooms in the dwelling in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. In a dwelling provided with electrical power, detectors shall be powered by the electrical service in the building and by battery.” If you think your carbon monoxide detector may be out of date or not to code, please give us a call and we are happy to sell and install a new carbon monoxide detector for you.
As always, we recommend customers be on automatic delivery so there is no fear of running out in the winter. To get set up with automatic delivery, please email us at [email protected] with your name and address.
Stay Safe and Stay Warm!
*State of Vermont, Title9: Commerce and Trade Chapter 77: Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors, https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/09/077