Winter is Here - Now is the Time to Inspect Your Heating System
As the temperatures have steadily dropped, with the first signs of frost occurring during the overnight, the familiar feeling of the heat coming on has been felt by all. As most homes on Staten Island have either oil or gas heat, a natural by-product of the burning of these fuels is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can kill quickly if you are exposed to high levels. If the appliances that burn the fuel are properly maintained, the amount of carbon monoxide released into the air is undetectable.
At the start of heating season, its a good idea to have your hot water heater and furnace checked out by a professional to ensure that carbon monoxide is not being released into your home. At a minimum, check to make sure that vents and flues have not become clogged or blocked over the non-heating season. During the spring and summer, birds may build nests inside the flue pipe. When the heat is turned on, the carbon monoxide will be vented back into the house, creating a potentially fatal situation.
Its also a good idea to have carbon monoxide detectors on all floors of your house. It is important that if the detectors go off, to open windows immediately and get everyone out of the house. Call 911 from a neighbors house, not from yours, as the levels of carbon monoxide inside may be so high that you may never make it out.
If you or your family is suffering from unexplained headaches, dizziness, fatigue or nausea, these may be the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. See a doctor immediately and make sure that you have carbon monoxide detectors on all floors and that your heating system is properly functioning. Putting off installing carbon monoxide detectors or inspecting your heating system for just a day may cost you your life. Take action now.
