pnbspCold weather is on its way nbsp This means we should be getting our wood stoves and heaters in working order for the winter months. nbspHaving a qualified heating technician service and clean your furnace is a sure way to get a safe start to the cold weather season. nbsp We should also be making sure that the batteries in our carbon monoxide detectors are new and that the detector is in good working order. nbspnbspppFor those of you that burn wood in the winter now would be a good time to start looking for a qualified contractor to clean and inspect the chimney for cracks and problems that may cause an emergency or even a fire in your home nbspbrpppp stylefont-family Times New Roman strongCarbon monoxide CO is the number one cause of poisoning deaths in the United States. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association there are approximately 2100 unintentional deaths from carbon monoxide CO every year in the U.S. and the use of CO Alarms could potentially prevent many of these fatalities. In addition more than 10000 CO injuries occur annually from this colorless odorless and tasteless poison.strongpp stylefont-family Times New Roman strongCarbon monoxide CO can be produced when burning any fuel gasoline propane natural gas oil wood and coal. It is the product of incomplete combustion. Carbon monoxide can kill in minutes or hours depending on the level of CO in the air.strongpp stylefont-family Times New Roman strongIf CO is inhaled at damaging levels it can lead to breathing difficulties impaired judgment and memory damage to the nervous system cardiac trauma brain damage coma and even death.brEveryone is susceptible but experts agree that unborn babies young children pregnant women senior citizens and people with heart or respiratory problems are especially vulnerable and are at the highest risk for death or serious injury.strongpp stylefont-family Times New Roman strongSymptoms of carbon monoxidebrInitial symptoms are similar to the flu with no fever. Dizziness fatigueweakness throbbing headache nauseavomiting irregular breathing sleepiness and confusion can all be possible symptoms.strongpp stylefont-family Times New Roman strongPotential sources of carbon monoxidebrAny fuel burning appliance that is malfunctioning or improperly installed can be a source of CO. These can include furnaces gas rangestove gas clothes dryer water heater gas or wood fireplaces wood-burning stove and auto exhaust from an attached garage. Other sources include clogged chimneys or flues vent pipes fuel burning space heaters tools that run on fuel in an area that is not vented a gas or charcoal grill used in an enclosed area certain types of swimming pool heaters boats and RVs. Back drafting and changes in air pressure can cause indoor levels of CO.strongpp stylefont-family Times New Roman strongstrongInstalling a quality CO detector is one sure way to avoid any problems with carbon monoxide. nbspIf the alarm goes off nbspstrongimmediately call 911 nbspAnd get everyone out of the house as quickly as possible nbspstrongpp stylefont-family Times New Roman bFollowing some of these tips can assure that you will have a great start to the cold weather seasonnbspbppp
