Being exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) is extremely dangerous. Knowing about possible points of exposure to the gas and how to become aware of a carbon monoxide leak in your home can protect you and your family from the harmful and potentially lethal effects.
Because CO has no color, taste, or odor, it often goes unnoticed until symptoms of poisoning start to develop. Inhalation of modest amounts of the gas can cause the following:
- Vertigo
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Breathing difficulties
Long-term effects of being exposed to carbon monoxide may include depression and memory loss. When the gas is present in larger quantities, or after prolonged exposure to smaller amounts, the consequences are even more serious and can lead to death.
To prevent being exposed to carbon monoxide, you should first understand where it comes from. When fuels are not completely burned, they let off carbon monoxide as a by-product. These fuels are known to release the gas:
- Coal
- Wood
- Charcoal
- Oil
- Kerosene
- Propane
- Natural gas
Pieces of equipment with internal combustion engines can also be a source of carbon monoxide. This includes generators, lawn mowers, and power washers. When running in an enclosed space like a garage, the equipment releases the gas and it may build up to high levels if the space is not adequately ventilated. For this reason, cars and other items with engines should not be running for any period of time in your attached garage or home. Leaks of carbon monoxide can occur if you do not schedule regular maintenance on your gas furnace or water heater. Proper installation of gas-fueled appliances is imperative, with venting safely removing combustion fumes, including CO, from your home.
Becoming aware of carbon monoxide in your home means owning one or more working carbon monoxide detectors. CO detectors will warn you of a problem before the gas reaches a critical level. It can detect the gas in such small quantities that it will notify you before symptoms of poisoning reveal themselves. If you keep your detector up-to-date and check its batteries (if it’s a battery-operated model), you can prevent a major problem.
Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. serves the heating and air conditioning needs of the Dayton and Springfield areas. Contact us to learn about keeping your HVAC equipment operating at peak performance and your home safe.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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