Each year over 20,000 people end up in the ER as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. This colorless, odorless gas is called the silent killer because it’s virtually undetectable without a carbon monoxide detector.
Carbon monoxide, according to the CDC, is produced by fireplaces, boilers, furnaces, stoves, and gas ranges so it only makes sense that carbon monoxide poisoning increases during the winter months when people are trying to heat their homes. To help keep your home safe, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is here with some tips to safety keep your home heated.
- Place a CO detector on every floor of your home and replace the batteries annually.
- Keep all possible sources of combustion, such as paper, clothing, bedding, or rugs, a minimum of three feet away from fireplaces, furnaces, stoves, or space heaters.
- Before starting a fire in the fireplace, be sure to check to ensure the chimney damper is open and unblocked.
- Do not leave portable heaters or fireplaces alone. Power off space heaters and be sure all embers in the fireplace are totally extinguished before leaving the area.
- Space heaters should always be placed on the floor, and on a hard, incombustible surface, like concrete or tile. Keep young ones and animals away from space heaters.
- When buying a new space heater, invest in a model that turns off automatically if the heater tips over.
- Do not use a cooking range to warm your home.
- Have fireplaces, chimneys, gas or oil furnaces, and coal and wood stoves professionally checked and cleaned annually.
The best thing you can do for your heating system is to make sure it’s not only up to the task of keeping your home warm all winter but also safe, is to schedule your heating tune-up. During your fall tune-up, Service Experts will check to be sure your heating system is operating safely with a total multi-point inspection and cleaning. Call 303-647-5853 today and ask how you can save on a heating tune-up through November 25th.