The Raymond Comfort Zone

Furnace Check Protects Against Fatal Carbon Monoxide

Have Your Heating System Checked Every Year

Every year carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty furnaces kills people while they sleep in their beds. Called the silent killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is odorless and colorless, giving little warning before it kills. CO poisoning can cause dizziness, light-headedness and nausea. Unfortunately, people often mistake these symptoms for tiredness or illness and fail to exit their home before fumes overcome them. Too often CO kills at night before a problem is even identified.

The most important thing you can do to protect your family against fatal carbon monoxide poisoning is to have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil or coal-burning appliances checked and serviced annually by a qualified heating and plumbing professional, recommends the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also recommends installation of a battery-operated CO detector near the furnace. If your CO detector sounds or you experience any of the symptoms of CO poisoning, gather your family and pets, exit your home immediately, and call 911. Do not re-enter your home until it has been thoroughly inspected by an experienced heating professional and the problem corrected.

The CDC offers the following additional recommendations to keep your family safe from carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Do not operate a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove or other gasoline or charcoal device inside your home, basement, garage or near a window. CO fumes can be drawn indoors.
• Do not run a car, truck or other vehicle inside an attached garage. Even with the garage door fully open, CO fumes can enter your home.
• Do not burn anything in a stove or fireplace that is not properly vented to the outdoors.
• Do not try to heat your home with a gas oven.

 Have you had your heating system checked? Schedule your FREE estimate!