Carbon Monoxide Prevention
Most people consider mold and mildew to be the most dangerous pollutant in their home, however equally as hazardous is carbon monoxide. You would be surprised at the number of household devices that can release this dangerous gas. These items would including wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, furnaces, barbecues, kerosene lamps, and gas-fired water and space heaters if they burn without enough oxygen. If you suspect that you have carbon monoxide in your home, keep a window cracked until you can eliminate the source.
Carbon monoxide can build up in your home and cause fatigue, irregular heart beat, headaches, and in cases of very high concentrations it can cause unconsciousness and even death. During the winter when your house is sealed up tight against the cold, the amount of fresh air to offset this deadly gas is limited.
Carbon monoxide is tasteless and odorless, so you are not likely to know if it is building up until you begin suffering from its ill effects. Therefore, it is important to take some common sense precautions:
- Be sure adequate air is available to any room containing a gas-burning appliance. Without fail, I will always have my furnace inspected by a professional mainly to guard against carbon monoxide leaks.
- Have your furnace, chimneys, and flues checked regularly for cracks and leaks that can release carbon monoxide into your home.
- When buying a wood-burning stove, choose one that meets EPA safety standards and see that it is installed to meet local installation codes.
- Make sure the door and stove pipe connections on all old wood-burning stoves fit tightly.
- Use a range hood with a fan if you have a gas range, or install an exhaust fan in a nearby window.
Open a window slightly or make sure a door is open to the rest of the house when using a space heater that operates on oil, gas, or kerosene.
Never barbecue in the house or garage and make sure the garage door is open whenever the car is running.
I highly recommend that you go to your local home improvement store and buy a Carbon Monoxide Detector. A basic detector will cost you about $25.00 (pay more and get some bells and whistles). Every home should have a carbon monoxide detector without a doubt.
Category: Home maintenance
