It’s odorless, and does not have a color or a taste. And it’s deadly. Carbon monoxide is a gas that can become dangerous quickly, if trapped in a confined space, such as a room or a house. It can occur from a variety of sources, such as gas water heaters and gas stoves, gas space heaters, leaking furnaces and chimneys. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu, and thousands of people experience this type of poisoning annually. Carbon monoxide detectors are now required in Charlotte, NC hotels, after the carbon monoxide level in a hotel room in NC was responsible for three deaths. How can carbon monoxide poisoning be prevented? The Consumer Product Safety Commission has some precautions that you can take to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Make sure appliances are installed and operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes. Most appliances should be installed by qualified professionals. Have the heating system professionally inspected and serviced annually to ensure proper operation. The inspector should also check chimneys and flues for blockages, corrosion, partial and complete disconnections, and loose connections.
- Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skill and tools. Always refer to the owner’s manual when performing minor adjustments or servicing fuel-burning equipment.
- Never operate a portable generator or any other gasoline engine-powered tool either in or near an enclosed space such as a garage, house, or other building. Even with open doors and windows, these spaces can trap CO and allow it to quickly build to lethal levels.
- Install a CO alarm that meets the requirements of the current UL 2034 safety standard. A CO alarm can provide some added protection, but it is no substitute for proper use and upkeep of appliances that can produce CO. Install a CO alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home. Make sure the alarm cannot be covered up by furniture or draperies.
- Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent unless it is specifically designed for use in an enclosed space and provides instructions for safe use in an enclosed area.
- Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
- Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
- Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers to heat your home.
- Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room where people are sleeping.
- Do not cover the bottom of natural gas or propane ovens with aluminum foil. Doing so blocks the combustion air flow through the appliance and can produce CO.
- During home renovations, ensure that appliance vents and chimneys are not blocked by tarps or debris. Make sure appliances are in proper working order when renovations are complete.
It is important to have your furnace in Charlotte, NC inspected and repaired by a professional. At Patterson Heating and Air, we recommend regular HVAC inspections to eliminate the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning from furnaces that are not operating properly. Old and leaky furnaces are key problems that need to be addressed at an inspection. Your heating system repair in Charlotte, NC will be done by a certified technician, who has the knowledge and experience to locate existing problems and potential future problems with your furnace. Figure out your risks now, before the season is in the frigid temperatures. At Patterson Heating and Air, our Charlotte HVAC systems specialists have the experience to prevent your heating system from malfunctioning this winter. Stay safe, and stay warm this winter.
(Source: Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers, https://www.cpsc.gov/, 2014)
