Carbon monoxide is an invisible, colorless, and odorless gas that can be deadly when breathed. It’s created when fuels from natural gas, wood, propane, or gasoline burn. It can come from your fireplace, car engine, gas range, or gas furnace. This poisonous gas, often known as a ‘silent killer’ is a leading cause of accidental death in the United States every year. Here are some important things to keep in mind about carbon monoxide, so you can stay safe this fall and winter.
Why it’s deadly:
Carbon monoxide poisoning makes blood in the body unable to transport oxygen. This restricts breathing, which can be deadly.
Carbon monoxide symptoms:
There are several signs of carbon monoxide poisoning including headache, nausea, vision changes, dizziness, or muscle weakness. In severe cases it can cause seizures. If you suspect that you have been exposed to carbon monoxide, you should immediately get outside and into fresh air. Then, call 911.
Know how to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:
Scheduling routine, professional maintenance on your gas furnace by our expert technicians at Specialty Heating and Cooling each year is critical. During this appointment, we will clean filters, run an energy efficiency check, and see if there is anything that could pose a problem later. Most importantly, we’ll do a thorough check of the internal components as well as the ventilation system to ensure everything is correct. This will help give you peace of mind knowing that there are no mechanical issues that could cause a breakdown or a gas leak that cause carbon monoxide exposure.
Install a carbon monoxide alarm:
Like a smoke detector, a quality carbon monoxide alarm will detect dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. These top-quality alarms use sensor technology to detect and record the carbon monoxide levels circulating around your indoor air.
Contact us today to get your gas furnace maintained. Your indoor air quality matters – especially as we head into the cooler fall and winter months. Whether it’s your home’s furnace or your commercial heating system, knowing about carbon monoxide and ensuring you do your part to maintain your system is key to keeping you, your family, and your employees safe.
