Since we’ll all be cranking up our heating equipment again soon, it’s time that we discuss how you can protect members of your household from the dangers of carbon monoxide due to leaks. Here are a few carbon monoxide safety tips that you should start following right now:
Hire a Technician to Check Your Gas Appliances
If your home utilizes a gas furnace or water heater for its heating needs, be sure to get these systems checked out by a qualified HVAC professional at least once per year. The same goes for coal-burning systems. Malfunctioning units could become the source of a gas leak.
Make Sure Your CO Detector is Functioning
If you haven’t already installed a carbon monoxide detector in your home, your priority should be picking one up right away. For an existing detector, replace the batteries at the start of the season and test the unit to make sure it’s in good working order.
Clean Out Your Chimney and Vents
When chimneys and vents get blocked by debris, it can cause carbon monoxide to back up and be re-released into your home’s air. Before the start of the winter season, thoroughly clean these areas to prevent any potential problems. For the chimney, however, you should definitely consider hiring a professional to do the job on an annual basis to ensure the best results.
Watch Out for Potential CO Poisoning Symptoms
Carbon monoxide poisoning can have fatal consequences in extreme cases, but symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, confusion, fatigue, blurred vision, vomiting, and loss of consciousness can clue you in that something is wrong. Some symptoms present themselves as flu-like, so if you experience these problems, a carbon monoxide leak may be the culprit.
Keeping your household safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide should always be on your mind. If you have any other questions related to carbon monoxide safety or any other home-comfort concerns, the professionals at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning can assist you. We serve the needs of Lorain and the surrounding areas with more than 50 years of combined experience.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area