Carbon monoxide - One of the most common causes of accidental poisoning in the United States

Carbon monoxide is a gas that has no color, odor or taste, carbon monoxide bonds with the hemoglobin in the blood, displacing oxygen.

Common home appliances such as gas or oil furnaces, clothes dryers, ranges, space heaters and wood stoves produce carbon monoxide. Early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning can resemble food poisoning or influenza.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Symptoms may include:
• Headache
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Faster heart rate

Depending upon the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air and the length of exposure, the next stages can produce:
• Unconsciousness
• Convulsions
• Brain damage
• Death

Young children and pets may be the first to be affected.

If you think you have a carbon monoxide problem in your home:
• Contact your local fire department.
• Turn off the furnace or other appliance that could be causing the problem.
• Open doors and windows.
• Call your utility company or a licensed service technician and have the problem fixed before
restarting appliances.
Tips for Prevention
• Check flues, chimneys and vents often to make sure they are clear of snow, ice and other debris.
• Do not block the furnace air intake.
• Do not use a gas range or oven for home heating.
• Do not adjust pilot lights yourself.
• Do not leave a vehicle running inside a garage, and never leave the door between the house and garage open if the vehicle is running.
• Start snow blowers outside rather than inside a garage or storage shed.

What NOT to do when your Heater Fails
• Never use a gas range or oven for heating.
• Never use a charcoal grill or a barbecue grill indoors.
• Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors.
• Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window, door, or vent.

Does your high efficiency furnace or boiler stop working during extreme cold temperatures?

Condensing furnaces and boilers (typically greater than 90% efficient), produce water during the heating cycle. This slightly acidic water leaves the system via a drain pipe (condensate line). During extreme cold temperatures, this water can freeze inside of the drain pipes. When this occurs, it can cause minor flooding and/or cause your furnace to shut off entirely. This issue is more common when the appliance has been installed in an attic or when the condensate drain line has been installed in an exterior wall. If you suspect that this could be the reason your heater has stopped working you should check for any ice buildup in or around your heater’s vents and drain pipes.

Thawing Frozen Pipes

An electric hair dryer can be a useful tool to thaw frozen pipes. Simply direct the hot air towards the frozen pipe. If the frozen pipe is made of plastic, such as PVC, you should avoid overheating the pipe by taking short breaks that allow the plastic pipe to cool. An electric hair dryer may also be useful when pipes are frozen inside a wall. Of course, this method requires patience and short breaks to keep from overheating the wall surface and electric hair dryer are necessary.

Hot water can also be used to thaw frozen pipes when the pipes are accessible. In areas where water damage is not a concern, you can pour the hot water directly over the frozen pipe. In areas where water could cause damage, such as in an attic, you can dip a sponge or rag into the hot water and repeatedly wipe the outside surface of the pipe.