Prep Genrl Question: What to do with propane cannisters (like for a backyard grill) in a "wartime" emergency?

[LibertyMom]

I don't see it already discussed. I've lived in Tornado Alley and in hurricane-prone areas and in the event of a tornado or hurricane you should secure the propane cannister outside, (and secure or bring in the grill and patio furniture) so it won't blow around. But I was actually going over my "RED ALERT" checklist in case of something worse, and in amongst the "fill up the bathtubs" and moving people, dogs and last-minute items to shelter...I realized I'm not sure what would happen to propane cannisters.

So if you are close to a blast, the cannister will be the least of your problems. But if you were close enough for the windows to break, would that also be close enough for the cannister to rupture? Or would close enough for the cannister to rupture also be close enough for everything else to be destroyed so it doesn't matter? Would you try to secure them close to the house or as far away as possible? Would you try to bury them? (Is that a good use of time?) Just curious.

 

[hiwall]

I would think of better things to be concerned about.
Those 20# tanks are pretty tough. The wind could blow one so it rolled and bumped down the road for a mile and I really doubt it would even leak.
If a propane tank did get a leak or even have a total failure and lose all the fuel rapidly there would still be very little danger. The conditions must be just right for the propane to ignite and an outdoor explosion caused by one would be extremely unlikely. And about impossible if it was windy.

 

[greysage]

Have shot at them, they do not blow up.

 

[Slydersan]

I believe the rebel faction in Colombia (FARC) would disagree with your statements. They turn those 20lb tanks into poor man's anti-aircraft weapons. Used mostly against helicopters. Sorry I have no link and probably wouldn't provide it if I did. I don't want it on my conscience when someone here says "Really!? Hold my beer..."

 

[WalknTrot]

Put them in the garage/shed with the other stuff, but only if you have an abundance of time....as in a hurricane warning a couple days away.

Tornado? Frankly, the tanks would be least of my worries.

 

[Illini Warrior]

if you're really concerned - make a drainage pad around a tree - circle the tree with tanks - cable them around a few times ....

 

[LibertyMom]

Thanks everyone! FWIW, I am not overly concerned. But I did realize that some of our emergency plans needed updating and that one stumped me. And BTW, the time to secure outdoor items for a tornado is when you read the forecast a day or two beforehand or get the thunderstorm warning or tornado watch alert, not while the tornado is bearing down. So that’s why I wanted some clarification for the still-unlikely-but-increasingly-possible nuke scenario.

 

[hd5574]

We keep our spare ones in a shed away from our house with our genny....and cans for that...never had a problem