To the guys that call them "Little Green Bombs". Do you have any instances where they blew up? If they did, would they be any different than a brand new, from the manufacturer, bottle? Or are they just as safe or unsafe as the new ones. Are 5 lbers really any safer? There's more propane to have an issue with in a 5 lber than in a 1 lber.
You asked so here you go
1) Suit alleges defective coupling caused fatal propane fire
2/27/2008 11:00 AM
By Michelle Massey, Texarkana Bureau
K-M Products MacCoupler
MARSHALL -- Gary Wayne Suggs, 51, was attempting to refill a propane container in a fifth-wheel trailer when a flash fire occurred, causing fatal injuries.
Gary's father, Billy Ray Suggs, alleges a defective coupling caused his son's death.
Billy Ray Suggs, individually and as estate representative, filed a product liability suit against K-M Products Inc. on Feb 25, 2008 in the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas.
According to the original complaint, the deceased was attempting to refill a DOT-39, 1.02-pound propane cylinder from a 40-pound propane cylinder using a MacCoupler.
According to the K-M Products web site, the MacCoupler is the company's chief product, which it has been making for more than 20 years. It is used to fill 1 pound refillable propane cylinders with any 20 to 40 pound propane tank.
(note:states for refillable not non-refillable )
"It's easy and cost effective," the web site states. "Made of solid brass, the MacCoupler will last a lifetime and is a welcome addition to anyones camping gear, tool chest, or their RV or camper."
The web site includes downloadable instructions for proper use of the MacCoupler.
The plaintiff alleges K-M Products Inc. is liable because the coupler did not have sufficient, appropriate or securely affixed proper warning labels. Further, the plaintiff argues the defendant failed to use proper materials for the coupler and failed to adequately test or inspect the product and its components. The complaint states that the defendant knew the coupler was defectively designed and manufactured.
Suggs believes K-M Products is guilt of gross negligence and argues the company's conduct was heedless, reckless and with a conscious indifference to the welfare and safety of his son.
The plaintiff is seeking wrongful death damages for emotional pain, grief, and sorrow, and pecuniary losses including loss of care, maintenance, support, services, advice, counseling and losses by virtue of the destruction of the parent-child relationship. On behalf of the deceased, the plaintiff is seeking damages for pain and suffering, funeral and burial expenses.
Tyler attorneys John D. Sloan Jr. and J. Ryan Fowler of the Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher and Perry Law Firm and Kilgore attorney Thomas H. Brown are representing the plaintiff.
Judge T. John Ward is assigned to the litigation.
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Polk County woman dies when propane tank explodes
By: Mary Glynn 02/10/2012
2) A 77-year-old Polk County woman was killed Saturday morning when a small propane tank her husband was filling ruptured, igniting an explosion that collapsed the garage of their home around them. The accident happened near the Town of Range, just west of Turtle Lake.
Stanley Johnson and his wife Nancy Johnson were in the garage Saturday morning. He was filling 1-pound propane cylinders from a 20-pound cylinder to take out to the heater in his ice fishing shack, said Captain Steve Smith of the Polk County Sheriff's Department. While being filled, a 1-pound cylinder ruptured, causing a small explosion.
At 9:31 a.m., the emergency call came in, said Captain Smith. The Polk County Sheriff's Department, the Apple River Fire Department, and Turtle Lake Fire Department responded.
Nancy Johnson was pulled from debris, Smith said, and was pronounced dead at the scene by Polk County Medical Examiner Jonn Dinnies.
Stanley Johnson was transported to Amery Regional Hospital for treatment of burns sustained in the explosion, Captain Smith said. He was later airlifted to a burn unit in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area, said a hospital spokeswoman.
©Barron News Shield 2012
I wish Mr Johnson and his family the best. My heart goes out to them. What a terrible tragedy!
3) Two Illinois men sustained burns in a propane gas explosion and fire in their pickup camper parked off Twin Lakes Road near the former Kateri Resort on Upper Twin Lake on Sunday, May 19, around 10:30 p.m.
The two, Michael Hutchison, 49, and Christopher Smith were transported to Hayward Area Memorial Hospital by a Sawyer County ambulance crew.
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Hutchinson was admitted and released. Smith was discharged from the hospital.
After the explosion, Smith came to the nearby residence of Don and Audrey Gedart, told them he was burned and said to call an ambulance. He said that Hutchison was lying on the side of the road. Hutchison had sustained second-degree burns to his face and arms. Smith was less severely burned on a foot and arm.
Sawyer County sheriff's deputies and the Town of Round Lake Fire Department were dispatched to the scene. Eleven firefighters responded and put out the fire using 750 gallons of water and foam.
The pickup camper was a total loss, said Round Lake fire chief Mike Schmidt. The vehicle was parked on a narrow, gated private road leading to the lake.
Hutchison told the Gedarts that he and Smith were inside the camper. They had one gas burner lighted when Hutchison tried to transfer propane from a large cylinder to a smaller cylinder. Suddenly, there was a heavy fog of fumes throughout the room, and the camper was engulfed in flames.
A dog which was tied up outside the camper was singed. An ATV parked in front of the camper was damaged.
They are easy to find just have to look!