Winter Storm Alert: Stock Up on Propane, But Remember Safety First

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The daunting winter storm about to impact much of the U.S. with dangerous levels of ice and snow this weekend will have many residents turning to propane as a primary or backup heating and energy source.

Propane is a dependable option when other energy sources are unavailable or limited to residents. However, it is paramount to put safety first when operating propane heaters or generators indoors.

“Winter Storm Fern brings the potential for rolling blackouts across Texas, the South, the Midwest and the Northeast. People will use propane heaters and generators for warmth and power throughout this weather event,” stated Steve Dudley, U-Haul Vice President of Retail Sales.

“Everyone using heaters and generators needs to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. If the heater or generator is designed for outside use, DO NOT bring it indoors. Look at the owner’s manual for product guidelines. Be responsible and know that the safety of you and your family comes first.”

Dudley noted that severe winter storms can elicit propane-related accidents like house fires stemming from an outdoor propane appliance being brought into a home or garage, where there are often nearby ignition sources.

“Propane is a great fuel because there is ample supply. The U.S. is the world’s largest refiner of propane,” Dudley added. “Propane is affordable and clean burning. It has many benefits. But always respect the product. Be safe with it.”

Propane Locations

U-Haul, the largest U.S. retailer of propane since 1987, serves thousands of propane customers daily at more than 1,500 Company-owned and operated refill and tank exchange stores where the fuel is offered.

Find a propane refill station near you.

Propane is currently available at locations across the U-Haul network despite the winter storms, with some temporary exceptions, where supplier deliveries have been slowed.

Buy new U-Haul propane tanks and propane heaters at uhaul.com. Tanks are also available in-store and have a 12-year initial certification lifespan.

U-Haul promotes sustainable solutions through its core business model of truck and trailer sharing; by reusing existing and often vacant buildings for its new stores; by curbing emissions through fuel efficiency and the proximity of U-Haul stores and local dealers to residential areas; by offering green products like the reusable plastic Ready-To-Go Box, biodegradable packing peanuts, boxes made from recycled cardboard, and furniture blankets made from recycled denim; through in-store recycling programs like Take A Box, Leave A Box; and by selling clean-burning propane as well as propane autogas for alternative fuel vehicles and fleets.

About U-HAUL

Founded in 1945, U-Haul is the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers with more than 24,000 rental locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. The U-Haul app makes it easy for customers to use U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 to access trucks anytime through the self-dispatch and -return options on their smartphones with our patented Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 203,000 trucks, 137,400 trailers and 41,700 towing devices. U-Haul is the third largest self-storage operator in North America and offers 1,111,000 rentable storage units and 96.5 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities. U-Haul is the top retailer of propane in the U.S. and the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. Get the U-Haul app from the App Store or Google Play.