Every year, more than 20,000 visits to the emergency room come from exposure to carbon monoxide. What’s scary about that is carbon monoxide is difficult to detect. It’s odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can settle into your home and impact you before you even know its there.
What causes carbon monoxide? The answers may surprise you. You probably have some or all of these somewhere in your home. Are they working properly?
Furnaces and Chimneys
These are the most obvious appliances that produce carbon monoxide. If a gas-forced furnace isn’t working properly, carbon monoxide can back up into the system and leak into your living space. Carbon monoxide can also build up inside a home if the chimney isn’t functioning the way it should. At a minimum, have both cleaned and checked once a year to ensure they are in proper working condition.
Space Heaters
While gas space heaters can be dangerous in the best of conditions, they are also one of the biggest culprits of carbon monoxide exposure. Be sure all gas appliances are properly installed and adequately vented. Better yet, don’t use them at all.
Gas Stoves
Is your gas stove properly installed and vented to the outdoors? Be sure there is a working exhaust fan and that you clean the oven, burners, and range top regularly to reduce potential carbon monoxide emissions.
Generators and Other Equipment
When purchasing any gas powered equipment for use inside or outside your home, be sure it’s in proper working condition, it’s been tested, inspected, and verified to meet all safety requirements. When in doubt, don’t use it.
Vehicles
Never run your car inside your garage unless your garage door is open. Bring your car in for regular maintenance visits to ensure it’s working the way it should.
Be sure you have a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home and that it’s working correctly throughout the year. It’s one of the best steps you can take to keep your family protected.
If you have questions about any gas appliance, we can help. Give us a call today.