How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a byproduct of combustible fuels and be emitted by a variety of household appliances.  It’s a tasteless, odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas that can cause physical discomfort even in relatively small doses.

There are numerous causes of carbon monoxide poisoning that include:

• Chimney or furnace leakage
• Back-drafting from a furnace, which simply means that furnace byproducts like carbon monoxide are not properly or fully exiting your home through the flue
• Gas water heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces
• Gas stoves
• Generators and other gasoline powered equipment
• Automobile exhaust from attached garages
• Tobacco smoke

Now that you know where CO primarily comes from, you’re well on your way to preventing any serious leakages in your home.  Here’s how to ensure untainted indoor air:

• Have all fuel burning appliances (like your gas furnace and water heater) professionally maintained once a year by a licensed technician.

• Never start or operate a fuel-burning appliance (like your lawn mower or gas grill) inside of a closed, unvented space.

• Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected at least once a year, especially in the fall before you start using it again.

• If you’ve just moved into your house, hire one or more qualified professionals to ensure that all fuel-burning appliances have been properly installed and maintained.

• Never leave your car running inside a closed, unvented garage.

As an added precaution, we urge you to contact Correct Temp so we can install CO detectors in strategic locations throughout your home, especially near your furnace and bedrooms.  Here’s what our CO detectors can do for you:

• Able to detect CO emissions at very low levels, well before anyone is in danger of poisoning.

• They alert each other and all home occupants should even one detector sound its alarm.

• If you also have a home burglar alarm system that’s professionally monitored, our CO detectors can be integrated with your system for your greater protection and peace of mind.

Contact Correct Temp today for a free and no-obligation proposal on how we can deliver added security for your entire family.