Follow these helpful tips to avoid succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a more common and serious problem than you may think. Roughly 500 people die, and 15,000 fall sick every year, and nearly all cases reported could have easily been prevented. CO is an invisible and odorless gas, which is why it’s so dangerous to all living things. In residential areas, the most common sources of CO poisoning are faulty furnaces, stoves, or other heating appliances. To protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning, follow these helpful steps.
Avoiding sources of carbon monoxide
- If you’re going to use a heater, avoid using gas powered ones and opt for electrical ones. If you’re attached to your gas powered one, then have it inspected at least once a year.
- Inspect your fireplace chimney, and have it cleaned once a year.
- Remove your car from the garage immediately after starting it.
- Make sure that your vents are clear of any debris that could clog air flow and build up CO.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
- CO alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms—and vice versa. Though some manufacturing companies combine both appliances.
- Keep the alarms no further than 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances.
- Test CO alarms regularly—as often as you would smoke detectors—and replace the batteries every year, and if you forget, you’re alarm will likely let you know by going off.
The Hoffman Brown Team cares about your safety and well-being.
