Season of CO gas calls for vigilance
Fuel-burning heaters, indoor living, nesting all heighten risks in winter
Winter is the most dangerous season for carbon monoxide (CO). Doing what we can to prevent CO leaks, poisoning, or explosions can mean the difference between life and death.
During winter we spend more time indoors and use more fuel-burning appliances. Not to mention bad weather can knock out power lines, and that can lead to plenty of people using heat sources they’ve never used before or know how to use properly.
We’ve all heard the stories: The power goes out; a family doesn’t have heat for days. Out of desperation, they decide to bring in a fuel-burning heater. Next thing you know they’re a headline.
Do not let this happen this winter. We can prevent these kinds of accidents. 1.
Make sure CO alarms or detectors are working.
A colourless, odourless gas, CO is produced any time you burn fuel, such as gasoline, wood, oil or propane. It’s a silent and invisible killer, like radon. Only a working CO alarm can indicate if this gas is in your home. One alarm should be on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.
Some units are plugged into the wall: Do not unplug them. Others are smoke and CO combo units, either placed on the ceiling or hardwired into your electrical system. These should be installed by a licensed electrical contractor.
Whatever unit you have should be tested at least once a month (follow the manufacturer’s instructions). Every CO alarm has a test button that, when pressed, emits a loud beep. If you don’t hear it, change the batteries and test again.
Routinely change batteries in CO alarms at the same time you change those in smoke alarms — at least twice a year when you change clocks. It’s good timing because it forces you to check the device at the start and end of winter season — a crucial time for CO safety. If you haven’t changed the batteries, do so now!
Typically, CO alarms need to be replaced between seven and 10 years. 2.
Have a certified technician check out every fuel-burning appliance in your home, including your fireplace, gas stove and furnace — whether it’s woodburning, oil, gas or propane. Any appliance that burns fuel must be checked annually.
You should also have your water heater and venting checked. Blocked venting is a serious problem and needs to be fixed immediately.
Also, if the venting in your home is too strong — maybe the kitchen or bathroom fans are too powerful — it can pull toxic fumes, including CO, back indoors.
Remember, air expelled from your home needs to be replaced. If too much is exhausted, nega- tive pressure is created inside and that’s when exhaust fumes can be drawn back in. 3.
Have an HVAC professional check your home’s heating system every year, no exception. Make sure there’s nothing — like furniture — blocking the air intakes and cold air returns, otherwise the system will suffocate. 4.
Have a certified home inspector check that your garage is properly sealed from the rest of the house to ensure there’s no way CO from vehicles or generators can seep into your home — including the bedrooms. 5
Be smart when using space heaters. For example, don’t use them in wet areas or to dry anything, and never use a fuelburning space heater inside.
If you’re freezing, add a few more layers or go to a relative or friend’s home. Believe me, you’re better off coping with the cold than CO.