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Tips to Help Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning is such a serious threat because it is invisible and silent and most people are not even aware that they have been affected until it is too late. And unlike fire and burglary, carbon monoxide poisoning is a threat that many people do not even consider. Many people do not even know what carbon monoxide poisoning is and other people that do understand its dangers think that it could never happen to them.
However, according to statistics, carbon monoxide poisoning is a real threat that people need to take very seriously. According to a report published by the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were about 162 deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States in 2004. Eighty-four of these deaths were caused by carbon monoxide from heating systems, while another 30 were caused from natural gas heating and 25 from LP gas heating.
Fortunately, carbon monoxide is largely preventable if you know how to protect yourself. Here are some tips to help you and your family avoid this deadly threat:
--Make sure that fuel-burning appliances are vented directly to the outside.
--Always keep fresh air circulating in your home.
--Have your heating system (and your kitchen appliances) inspected by a professional for carbon monoxide emissions once a year.
--Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Some security systems come with detectors already built-in. If not, detectors can be purchased relatively inexpensively at most hardware stores.
-- Never turn on your car's engine in an enclosed garage. This can cause carbon monoxide poisoning within a matter of minutes.
If you follow these steps (and make them habits), you should be well on your way to protecting your home and your family from this deadly threat.