furnaceCarbon monoxide (CO) is considered the “silent killer” because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, and it can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. At higher levels, the effects are potentially fatal. Practicing prevention keeps CO at bay.

CO is produced by the incomplete burning of solid, liquid or gaseous fuels from household items such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters and fireplaces. If these items are used or installed
improperly, dangerous levels of CO can escape into the air and cause illness.

With the recent Winter Storm Knife hitting Buffalo and Western New York with an unprecedented amount of snow, homeowners may be at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from blocked furnace exhaust pipes. Be sure to frequently check and clear away any snow or anything else that may be blocking your home’s furnace exhaust pipe.

Prevention Tips
To protect you and your loved ones, follow these prevention tips:

  • Check your appliances to ensure that the flame color is blue. If it is orange, contact the fire department immediately
  • Check and clean your furnace exhaust pipe frequently
  • In addition to a smoke detector, install a CO detector on every level of your home. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and place away from furniture and curtains to get accurate detection results
  • CO detectors do not stay working forever. They usually have a lifespan of 5-7 years (some are only a couple of years). Make sure you know when to replace your CO detectors and keep track of the dates when last replaced.
  • Have a professional do a safety inspection annually on all of your appliances, chimney and grill to make sure they are in safe working order
  • Have a professional inspect your fireplace flue annually and remove birds’ nests and foliage from the flue area. Also, install a guard to prevent birds from nesting around this area
  • Operate grills outside of your home and garage
  • Do not leave your car running in an attached garage, even if the door is open
  • Never rely on ranges, ovens, gas grills or clothes dryers to heat your home
  • Never operate fuel-burning items such as space heaters and lawn mowers in closed rooms
  • If you or other family members are feeling ill frequently at home, leave for several hours to see if your symptoms go away. If so, you may all be suffering from CO poisoning. Have a service person inspect your appliances to see if they are working properly to eliminate CO as a possible culprit

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