Annually, over 20,000 people visit the ER due to carbon monoxide poisoning. This colorless, odorless gas is referred to as the silent killer because it’s practically undetectable without a carbon monoxide detector.
Carbon monoxide, according to the CDC, is produced by stoves, gas ranges, boilers, furnaces, and fireplaces so it only makes sense that carbon monoxide poisoning climbs during the colder months when people are trying to heat their homes. To help keep your home safe, Service Experts is here with a couple tips to safety warm your home.
- Install a CO detector on all floors of your home and swap out the batteries annually.
- Keep all potential sources of combustion, such as paper, clothing, bedding, or rugs, at least three feet away from fireplaces, furnaces, stoves, or space heaters.
- Before lighting a fire in the fireplace, always check to confirm the chimney damper is open and unclogged.
- Never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended. Power off space heaters and ensure all embers in the fireplace are fully extinguished before leaving either heating source unattended.
- Space heaters should always be positioned on the floor, and on a hard, fire-resistant surface, like ceramic tile. Keep children and animals away from space heaters.
- When buying a new space heater, purchase a model that turns off automatically if the heater tips over.
- Don't use a cooking range to warm your home.
- Have fireplaces, chimneys, gas or oil furnaces, and coal and wood stoves professionally inspected and cleaned annually.
The ultimate thing you can do for your furnace is to be sure it’s not only all set to keep your home warm all winter but also safe, is to schedule your fall tune-up. During your fall tune-up, Service Experts will check to be sure your furnace is operating safely with a full multi-point inspection and cleaning. Call (866) 963-7996 today and find out how you can save on a fall tune-up.
