According to the American Lung Association at lung.org, after an emergency or power outage, many people are poisoned by Carbon Monoxide. Bad weather emergencies, like snow storms and hurricanes are usually followed by people burning fuel indoors.
I don’t know about you… but that sure get’s my attention! If you did not absorb those first few sentences, read them again.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, and dangerous gas. It is produced when a fuel such as natural gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. Fuel-burning appliances used indoors must be maintained, used properly and fully vented to the outdoors to prevent dangerous levels of CO. Hundreds of people die accidentally every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances.
Every home should have a working CO detector; it may save your life. CO detectors should be placed as close to sleeping areas as possible.
Breathing CO at low levels regularly may cause permanent mental or physical problems. At very high levels, it causes loss of consciousness and death.
How can you protect yourself from carbon monoxide?
Make sure stoves or other devices that burn fuel indoors are fully vented to the outdoors.
Sources include:
- Gas appliances (furnaces, ranges, ovens, water heaters, clothes dryers, etc.)
- Fireplaces, wood stoves
- Coal or oil furnaces
- Space heaters or oil or kerosene heaters
- Charcoal grills, camp stoves
- Anything gas powered
The following simple steps can prevent CO poisoning:
- Make sure appliances are installed and working according to manufacturers’ instructions and local building codes.
- Never use unvented appliances — make sure all appliances are fully vented to the outdoors.
- Have the heating system, chimney and flue inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician every year.
- Do not use ovens and gas ranges to heat your home.
- Do not burn charcoal, kerosene lanterns or portable camp stoves inside a home, cabin, recreational vehicle or camper.
- Do not operate gasoline-powered engines in confined areas such as garages or basements.
- Never leave your car or mower running in a closed garage.
- Make sure your furnace has an adequate intake of outside air.
- Install a CO detector with an audible alarm in your home and garage.
- Cigarettes, pipes and cigars also produce carbon monoxide. Do not let anyone smoke inside your home.
For the love of Pete people! Follow these suggestions and above all… get a CO detector!
