How to Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Every winter, officials warn residents about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty heating systems. When your heating system encounters a problem needing repair, it may begin leaking carbon monoxide in your home. This is a dangerous problem that can easily be prevented with the right actions.

How to Determine if You Have Carbon Monoxide Gas

If you or your family members begin to experience frequent headaches, flu-like symptoms, impaired judgment, chest pain, confusion, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath on exertion, and similar symptoms, then you should see a doctor and get your home checked for carbon monoxide. It is not just your health that signals a problem. Other signs of carbon monoxide include soot around your furnace, excess condensation in the windows, water leaks, rust on your pipes, and a yellow burner flame. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal, so you want to ensure that you protect yourself and your loved ones by enacting preventative measures.

Install a Warning System

You can easily protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning by installing a simple carbon monoxide detector. It is similar in size and shape to a fire detector, and you can often find devices that perform both functions. Many areas require homes have some type of carbon monoxide alarm, but not all people follow the guidelines. An alarm is an easy and inexpensive way to protect you and your family from the health problems associated with carbon monoxide poisoning. Ideally, you want to place one near all bedrooms to ensure everyone’s safety. It’s now a law to install carbon monoxide detectors in homes in Ontario.

Get a Heating System Tune Up

Faulty heating systems are one of the major sources of carbon monoxide leaks, which is why it is so important to get safety checks and tune ups to your system every year. During this process, a qualified person will thoroughly inspect all the components of your HVAC system to ensure they are running properly, including checking for any toxic gases. Your duct system and flues also needs to be checked for any leaks or problems that can disrupt the balance of airflow in the system. A tune up not only will reduce your risk of problems, but it will also ensure your system runs more efficiently and extend the lifespan of your unit.

Make Repairs to Your Heating System

When you notice your heating system is broken or working less efficiently than it used to do, act immediately to have it serviced and repaired. This can prevent any small problem turning into a lager one that causes carbon monoxide to leak into your home. If you continue to use your system while it is broken, you increase your risk of carbon monoxide gas being released into your home, putting yourself and your family at risk. Additionally, making repairs early will extend the life of your unit, saving you costs in the long run.

Although carbon monoxide poisoning is serious and potentially fatal, it is easy to prevent problems from happening. By installing an alarm system and getting annual tune ups for your heating system you can greatly reduce any health risks associated with this problem.

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