Winter Weather Delivery Safety Reminders

Getting Your Home Ready for Winter Fuel Delivery: Essential Tips

As temperatures drop and winter weather looms, preparing your home for fuel delivery is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted warmth and safety. Taking a few simple precautions now will make a big difference when the snow starts to fall!

Here are three essential steps to prepare your home for propane or heating oil delivery:

1. Keep It Clear: Ensure Access for Delivery Drivers

Clear pathways are non-negotiable for safe and efficient fuel delivery. Delivery professionals often navigate heavy trucks and equipment, and obstructions can cause delays or prevent a delivery altogether.

• Outside Exhaust Vents: Ensure these vents are clear of snow, ice, or debris to maintain proper furnace operation and prevent dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.

• A Path to Your Fill Pipe or Propane Tank: Shovel or clear a path to your fill location. This allows the driver to safely connect the hose.

• Driveway Clearance: If snowfall is expected, make sure your driveway is plowed or cleared wide enough—a minimum of 9 feet of clearance—for the delivery truck to enter and maneuver safely.

• Yard Obstacles: Clear anything in your driveway or yard that might hinder access to your fuel tank, such as toys, equipment, or yard waste.

2. Mark The Spot: Make Your Location Visible

Inclement weather can drastically reduce visibility, making it difficult for drivers to locate your property and your specific tank or fill pipe.

• House Number: Ensure your house number is clearly visible from the road. This is especially important during snowy conditions when landmarks may be obscured.

• Fill Pipes and Tanks: Mark your fill pipes or propane tanks before the bad weather arrives. Use a driveway marker or flag that stands well above the potential snow level. These markers are essential guides for drivers navigating snow and ice.

3. Be Prepared: Monitor Levels and Know Your Contacts

Preparation includes being proactive about your fuel supply and having necessary contact information readily available.

• Will-Call Customers: You are responsible for monitoring your own tank levels. To avoid running out of fuel and facing emergency fees, monitor your tank levels regularly and place orders when you are low.

  • Propane customers should order their next delivery when their gauge reaches around 30%.

  • Heating oil customers should place an order when their gauge reaches ¼.

• Emergency Contact: In the unlikely event of a fuel emergency, please call our after-hours emergency number: (800) 279-2566.

The Benefits of Using a Local Propane and Oil Company

Choosing a local provider means you’re working with people who understand the specific challenges and weather conditions of our community. We are dedicated to keeping your home warm all winter long!

Need to discuss your energy needs or have a question about preparing your home?

Please call our office during regular business hours:

Main Office: 540-338-6457 Emergency (After Hours): 800-279-2566