Carbon monoxide will cause death or serious brain damage to
more than 500 victims this year—don’t let a family member be one of them! What
exactly is it? Carbon monoxide (CO) is a byproduct from burning various fuels
and can come from a variety of common, everyday home appliances… and it’s
poisonous to breathe in. Have you ever heard that you should never start your
car or lawn mower with the garage door closed? That’s why. It’s a tasteless,
odorless, and colorless gas, making it a difficult opponent. Make sure your
family doesn’t fall victim to this silent killer by knowing the facts. Homes
are most at risk during fall, when people are starting up their furnace,
boiler, or other seasonal combustion appliances for the first time in months.
Normally the toxic gases from fuel combustion are expelled
from the home, but processes called the “stack effect” and “backdraft” trap
them inside. The stack effect is when faulty appliances create a negative air
pressure inside the home by ventilating too much air out of the home. The
building will then “backdraft” to compensate for the air pressure imbalance by
sucking air—including toxic gases—back inside.
This is usually caused by loose vent pipes, cracked metal,
or corrosion.
Your home could also have internal equipment damage,
malfunctioning components, or hidden blockage or damage in the vent or chimney.
But how do you know?
CO is indiscernible by our senses, carbon monoxide can
really sneak up on you—and your home’s CO detector! Because air can stratify,
low-level leaks are difficult to identify, you should have at least one CO
alarm on each floor of your home, and make sure it has a battery backup if it
is hard-wired or plug-in.
What to do if your alarm goes off:
Turn off combustion appliances, open all doors and windows,
leave the home, and seek medical attention for a blood check.
CO exposure is so dangerous because it interferes with the
way your body absorbs oxygen, and can result in death or serious brain damage.
Symptoms of CO exposure include dizziness, nausea, headache,
and shortness of breath—unfortunately, those are also symptoms for dozens of
other illnesses, so it’s best to stay on the safe side and just get your home
checked!
Call Elite for an annual inspection. (…right
about now would be a good time!) We can clean and tune-up the central heating
system and check for chimney air leaks, cracked heat exchangers, and improperly
installed or loose vent pipes. Make sure your family knows the warning signs
and what to do to prevent a CO nightmare. 918.610.7300
© Service Roundtable
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