Be sure your Fourth of July barbecue is a tasty, entertaining and safe experience for your family and friends. A safe grilling experience starts with a tank safety inspection and propane refill from your neighborhood U-Haul facility.
Free safety checks are available this week at more than 1,200 U-Haul-owned and -operated stores where propane refills are sold.
Summertime demand for propane spikes prior to July 4, widely considered the busiest grilling day of the year. The annual U-Haul safety campaign includes free inspections and qualification checks on tanks while sending customers home with free dust caps, free dust plugs, a free fresh tank sleeve, and free tie-down twine to secure their propane tank in a full upright position as they travel.
“We take propane safety seriously,” U-Haul Propane Manager Scott Johnson said. “U-Haul propane-certified technicians will check the qualification date on each cylinder, examine the valve for leaks, and inspect the tank for dents, cracks, gouges and rust. We want people to enjoy their holiday without worrying about their tank’s safety.”
In addition to propane refills, U-Haul offers propane exchange and delivery at a number of its locations. Find tank exchange sites and serviceable zip codes for propane delivery at uhaul.com/propane.
Johnson estimates as many as 60 million BBQ-size propane tanks are sold and refilled in the U.S. each year. Many of these cylinders have lapsed from routine checks and cannot be legally filled without inspection and requalification for safety purposes.
Propane tanks are qualified for 12 years from the original manufactured date in the U.S. or 10 years in Canada. This date is typically stamped on the tank collar or foot. If qualification has lapsed, customers have two options:
- Visit a propane company to have the tank requalified if it passes inspection. That can cost about $25, and requalification lasts five years.
- Purchase a new 20-pound steel BBQ tank that is qualified for 12 years in the U.S. or 10 years in Canada. It sells at U-Haul centers for $49.95 in the U.S. and $59.95 in Canada and can be purchased online for $54.95.
U-Haul utilizes the S.T.E.P. program (Safety, Training, Equipment, and Promotion) to deliver propane safely, cleanly and conveniently. The U-Haul propane certification program for Team Members and the U-Haul propane website promoting consumer safety tips and education information both align with the Propane Education Research Council.
Along with strict safety training standards, U-Haul uses an online service request system that connects U-Haul centers to propane vendors to report any equipment issues and ensure that propane is available to safely dispense every day. The S.T.E.P. program makes U-Haul the industry leader in safely and effectively meeting customer demand.
“When handled correctly, propane is a safe and efficient energy source,” Johnson said. “We have over 7,000 propane-certified Team Members who are trained to identify any issue with the cylinders and dispense the cleaning-burning gas safely at low prices. We encourage all of our customers to take advantage of our free inspections before they open their grills to start cooking and celebrating.”
Propane is the focus of several U-Haul sustainability initiatives. The Company continues to grow its propane locations to service alternative-fuel vehicles and champions products like the 3-pound refillable propane cylinder and appliance adapters, a safer and more responsible choice than disposable tanks. Read more on U-Haul ecofriendly practices at uhaul.com/about/sustainability.
