Part Two – Carbon Monoxide
Where CO Comes From.
Inside your home, appliances used for heating and cooking are the most likely sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles running in attached garages can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home.
A
When these appliances are in good working condition with proper ventilation, lethal carbon monoxide gas is vented out- doors where it quickly disperses. But even the slightest malfunc- tion or misuse of any of these sources can lead to a
You don’t have to have ancient appliances to have a problem. Today’s more
ProtectingYour Family from CO poisoning.
To be safe, know the possible sources of CO in your home. Keep
Your first line of defense is an annual inspection and regular maintenance of your appliances. Contact a licensed contractor or call your local utility company for assistance.
Problems can begin after an inspection is over, like a crack in a furnace heat exchanger, or a leak in a water heater vent or a bird’s nest blocking a flue or other sources that are nearly impossible to detect. That’s why you need the
Home Safety Tips
What You Can Do...
•Buy only appliances approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
•Choose
•Make sure appliances are installed according to manufactur er’s instructions and local building codes. Most appliances should be installed by professionals and should be inspected by the proper authority after installation.
15