Superior Chimney Sweep

protect your familyProtect Yourself And Your Family From Carbon Monoxide

Each year in the United States, carbon monoxide poisoning claims approximately 480 lives and sends another 15,200 people to the hospital emergency rooms for treatment.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) would like you to know that there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself from deadly carbon monoxide fumes.

Understanding The Risk

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas.  Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home.  At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu.  These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue.  The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.

Where does carbon monoxide come from?

CO gas can come from several sources:  gas-fired appliances, charcoal grills, woodburning furnaces or fireplaces and motor vehicles.

Who is at risk?

Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning.  Medical experts believe that unboarn babies, infants, children, senior citizens and people with heart or lung problems are at even greater risk for CO poisoning.

What actions do I take if my carbon monoxide alarm goes off?

What you need to do if your carbon monoxide alarm goes off depends on whether anyone is feeling ill or not.

If no one is feeling ill:

  • Silence the alarm.
  • Turn off all appliances and sources of combustion (i.e. furnace and fireplace).
  • Ventilate the house with fresh air by opening doors and windows.
  • Call a qualified professional to investigate the source of the possible CO buildup.

If illness is a factor:

  • Evacuate all occupants immediately.
  • Determine how many occupants are ill and determine their symptoms.
  • Call your local emergency number and when relaying information to the dispatcher, include the number of people feeling ill.
  • Do not re-enter the home without the approval of a fire department representative.
  • Call a qualified professional to repair the source of the CO.

Carbon monoxide detectors that blow the whistle on faulty heading systems and blocked flues are saving lives.  Don’t stay home without one!

Victims may become nauseated and disoriented, and develop flu-like symptoms.  They may suffer brain damage, or just fall asleep and die.

Protect Yourself And Your Family From CO Poisoning

  • Install at least on UL (underwriters Laboratories) listed carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal near the sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms.  Carbon Monoxide alarms measure levels of CO over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult would experience symptoms.  It is very possible that you may not be experiencing symptoms when you hear the alarm.  This does not mean that CO is not present.
  • Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least once a year.
  • Never use your range or oven to help heat your home and never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in your home or garage.
  • Never use a generator indoors – including garages, basements, crawl spaces and sheds – even with ventilation.  Exhaust fumes contain extremely high levels of CO which can rapidly become deadly if inhaled.  Consumers should use a portable generator outdoors only, in a dry area away from doors, windows and vents that can allow CO to come indoors.  Wait for the rain to pass before using a generator, as consumer-grade generators are not weatherproof and can pose the risk of electrocution and shock when used in wet conditions.
  • Never keep a car running in a garage.  Even if the garage doors are open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent a dangerous buildup of CO.
  • When purchasing an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house.  The presence of a carbon monoxide alarm in your home can save your life in the event of CO buildup.

Information courtesy of U.S. Fire Administration and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Reprinted, with permission, from the April 2009 issue of The Chimney Sweep News, an independent trade magazine for chimney service professionals.  Jim Gillam, editor/publisher.  541-882-5196. www.ChimneySweepNews.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Superior Chimney Sweep Company

Main Office
151 Wayside Ave
West Springfield, MA  01089


Office Hours: M-F  7:30am - 3pm

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Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1439
Easthampton MA

Phone
MA: 413-529-9436

The Superior Chimney Sweep Co. is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Chimney Cleaning in Easthampton MA
 

 

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