(NAPSA)—There are many reasons for America’s love affair with barbecuing—beyond the special flavors it lends to a growing range of delicious foods. Since April 1, a new reason has been high on thelist: safer gas grilling. On that date, a new standard from the National Fire Protection Association took effect in most states, mandating that liquefied propane (LP) cylinders must be equipped with an overfill protection device (OPD) if they are to be refilled or exchanged for consumers. Since 1998, all portable propane cylinders manufactured in the U.S. have been equipped with the safety device, but an estimated 37 million older cylinders used for gasgrills, patio heaters, deep fryers and RVs presumably remain in use. If you’re one of the 60 percent of grill owners who barbecue on a gas grill, you probably know that LP cylinder exchangeis the easiest, most convenient way to get a new or refurbished cylinder. Propane exchange centers are now situated in thousands of retail locations—including mass merchandisers, convenience, grocery, hardware, home center and gardeningstores. AmeriGas, the nation’s largest propane supplier, has more than 16,000 propane exchange installations across the country. AmeriGas PPX-Plus has both the OPD safety feature and a convenient fuel level indicator. Now the cleaner, easier way to grill has gotten even safer. Because propane expands with in- creased temperatures, there is a potential for gas release if the Newer propane cylinders are equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent overfilling. cylinder is filled higher than 80 percent. The OPD feature is a float valve that stops the flow of gas duringrefilling right at the 80 percent mark, thereby minimizing risk. The OPD-equipped valve is easily identified by its triangleshaped handwheel and the “OPD” printed on the cylinder. (Most older valves have a five-pronged handwheel.) Gas-grilling consumers can easily get a new or refurbished cylinder and dispose of an obsolete one for one price at an AmeriGas LP exchange center or refill location. Or, consumers can simply purchase a new cylinder wherever barbecue equipment and accessories are sold. It is also important to note that obsolete cylinders cannot simply be abandoned. If old cylinders are not turned in at an LP exchange center or refill location, they must be disposed of at a hazardous waste site or through a local fire departmentfacility. For additional information on the AmeriGas PPX-Plus cylinder exchange program, visit the Web site at www.amerigas.com.
