Our family recently had a scare with CO poisoning in our new Greenwich home. So we want to be sure everyone is aware of how important it is to protect your family from this odorless, silent killer. I’d like to share our story and a few tips in hopes that we can help prevent this situation for others. Please share this with someone you care about. CO poisoning can be fatal. Being safe is absolutely essential.
Safety First: How to Protect Your Home from CO Poisoning
A few days ago, our alarm went off for carbon monoxide at a level of 35 caused by a leaking water heater. That level was absolutely too high. Thanks to the CNG gas company and the Greenwich Fire Department who came out and spent 8 hours trying to find the problem, we were able to determine where the leak was coming from.
We are so grateful to them as this gas is a silent killer. We are now going to install more advanced CO units that don’t wait for an accumulation of gas to get to 35 before they go off (and get a new water heater, of course!). You should have zero carbon monoxide in the air, so this was a big wake-up call. Do yourself and your family a favor and test yours today.
6 Tips on How to Protect Your Family (via CPSC.gov):
- Have your home heating systems (including chimneys and vents) inspected and serviced annually by a trained service technician.
- Never use portable generators inside homes or garages, even if doors and windows are open. Use generators outside only, far away from the home.
- Never bring a charcoal grill into the house for heating or cooking. Do not barbeque in the garage.
- Never use a gas range or oven for heating.
- Open the fireplace damper before lighting a fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. An open damper may help prevent build-up of poisonous gases inside the home.
- Install battery-operated CO alarms or CO alarms with battery backup in your home outside separate sleeping areas.
- Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and confusion. If you suspect CO poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately, and then call 911.
Read more tips and information about carbon monoxide poisoning here.
