What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas. As it cannot be seen or smelt. You can never know it is around. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a very dangerous gas. Even at low levels of exposure, carbon monoxide can cause serious health problems. CO is harmful because it will rapidly accumulate in the blood, depleting the ability of blood to carry oxygen It is very important to protect ourselves from the harm of CO. The first step is to make sure that carbon monoxide never enters your home.
Where Does Carbon Monoxide Come From?
The burning of wood, kerosene, coal and charcoal produces CO. Also, gasoline engines produce CO. CO production is at a maximum during the startup of a cold engine. Starting, and then idling, your car or gas mower in the garage can be dangerous. The fumes that contain CO can enter a home through connecting walls or doorways and can quickly rise to dangerous levels. At times, you might never even know when this silent killer has entered your house.
Carbon monoxide is a by-product of the combustion of fossil fuels. Most fuel-burning products like (natural gas, propane and oil), if properly installed and maintained, produces little CO. The by-products of combustion are usually safely vented to the outside. However, if anything disrupts the venting process (such as a bird’s nest in the chimney) or results in a shortage of oxygen to the burner, CO production can quickly rise to dangerous levels.
How Can I Eliminate Sources of Carbon Monoxide in My Home?
Do the following to make sure that CO never enters your home.
•Get fuel-burning appliances inspected yearly especially before cold weather sets in to ensure they are in good working order.
•Get chimneys and vents yearly inspected for cracks, blockages (e.g., bird’s nests, twigs, old mortar), corrosion or holes by a qualified technician
•Check fireplaces for closed or blocked flues.
•If you have a powerful kitchen exhaust fan or downdraft cooktop, have a qualified technician check that its operation does not pull fumes back down the chimney.
•Never use propane or natural gas stove tops or ovens to heat your home.
•When you start a vehicle in a garage, open the garage door first. Pull the car out of the driveway, and then close the garage door to prevent dangerous fumes from being drawn into the house.
•Nver use a remote automobile starter when the car is in the garage; even if the garage doors are open.
•Never use propane, natural gas or charcoal barbecue grills indoors or in a garage.
•Avoid the use of a kerosene space heater indoors or in a garage. If its use is unavoidable provide combustion air by opening a window while operating. Refuel outside after the unit has cooled.
•Never run a lawnmower, snow blower, or any gasoline-powered tool such as pressure washer inside a garage or house.
•The use of fossil fuels for refrigeration, cooking, heat, and light inside tents, trailers, and motor homes can be very dangerous. Be sure that all equipment is properly vented to the outside and use electric or battery-powered equipment where possible.
•Regularly clean the clothes dryer ductwork from any blockages like lint and outside vent cover for blockages like snow, or overgrown outdoor plants.