Do You Smell
Something?
When
power outages occur after severe weather, using
alternative sources of power can cause carbon monoxide (CO) to build up in your
home and poison your family. CO is a colorless, odorless gas created by burning
fuel when using portable generators, gas ranges, burning wood or by running
your car.
While
hundreds of people die in the U.S. each year
from accidental CO poisoning, this tragedy can be prevented. If you don’t
have a battery-powered or battery back-up CO detector in your home, install one
as soon as possible and check it every six months. You should also follow these safety tips:
·
Do not run your car inside a garage
that is attached to your home, even if the garage door is open to the outside;
·
Have your heating system, water heater
and other gas, oil or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified
technician each year; and
·
Never heat your house with a gas
oven.
Since
you can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, it is important to recognize the most common symptoms of CO poisoning. If you
think you are experiencing CO poisoning, you should get fresh air and seek
medical attention immediately!
No comments:
Post a Comment