As the winter weather brings freezing temperatures, residents need to understand how to protect themselves from dangerously cold temperatures and know what the warning signs are for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Known as the silent killer, carbon monoxide claims more than 400 lives
each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"A winter storm like we’re experiencing can trigger a power
outage, causing many people to use alternate heating sources that may
not be safe to keep them warm," said Doyle James, president of Heating
& Air Conditioning, Inc. "Unfortunately, some families use generators
indoors to create the electricity they need, while others use gas ovens,
stoves and unvented gas logs to provide heat. Many items that produce
heat are not meant to warm up a large space or may not be ventilated properly.
In addition to these heating sources, a furnace can become stressed from
constant use in frigid temperatures, causing the heat exchanger to crack.
Carbon monoxide can then leak into the home."
Warning signs that carbon monoxide may be accumulating in your home include
gas flames burning orange or yellow instead of blue, sooty stains on heating
appliances or around heating registers, and a poorly igniting furnace.
Residents need to also look for physical symptoms of headaches, dizziness,
disorientation, nausea and fatigue.
"It’s important for residents to install a carbon monoxide
detector to help identify a serious situation such as faulty or improperly
used appliances, which can lead to fatal carbon monoxide levels,"
said James. "It is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic gas,
so it can accumulate in your house without you ever knowing."
Aire Serv provides tips below for keeping safe and warm, but contact your
local heating contractor for further information.
Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working.
If you develop symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning or hypothermia, seek
medical attention immediately.
2. Protect your health and home by never heating your house with a gas oven
or range. It’s also important to avoid warming your car up or keep
in running inside the garage, even with the garage door open.
Keep generators in a well ventilated area away from the house and space
heaters should be several feet away from combustible items.
Open your south-facing window blinds and curtains to let the sun in during
the day and reduce the load on your heating system. Then close them at
night to reduce the winter chill.
Reverse ceiling fans. By switching the blades to the clockwise direction,
warmer air that’s accumulated near the ceiling will be pushed back down.
Do not leave pets outside. If you don’t want them in your home,
at least leave them in a garage. Make sure they are kept warm and have
fresh water that is not frozen. Remember that pets inside are also attracted
to the warm fireplace and heater, so make sure they can’t burn themselves
or knock a heat source over – putting everyone in harm’s way.
Bundle up. Put on extra layers indoors to save energy and wear them outdoors
to conserve body heat.
Don’t burn foil, garbage, glossy magazines, painted wood or plastics.
They release a toxic cloud of chemicals.
Have a trained heating technician inspect your heating system annually,
including chimney and vents.
If you decide to venture outside, try to limit the amount of time you
spend outdoors, and call your heating specialist to conduct a safety check
on your heating system if you have any doubts about whether your equipment
is working properly.