Roses are Red, Violets are Blue…
And Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of unintentional
poisoning deaths in the United States.
We’re plumbers, not poets…
But Valentine’s Day is as good a day as any to remind you, our beloved customers, how to protect yourself and your loved ones against Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Over 400 people in the U.S. die each year and as many as 50,000 people visit emergency rooms across the U.S. with 4,000 of them hospitalized… all due to accidental CO poisoning (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Most of these incidents occur in the winter, often by malfunctioning heating systems. And they CAN be prevented.
Here’s how:
Remember – CO is known as the “invisible killer”. It is odorless, tasteless, and colorless.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following prevention measures:
- Have your home’s furnace, water heater, and any other gas or coal-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
- Have working CO detectors in your home, especially near sleeping areas.
- Take a portable CO detector with you when traveling.
- Make sure your home’s dryer, furnace, and fireplace are properly vented. The same is important for car tailpipes, that can become clogged with snow.
- Don’t start the car to warm it in a closed space, or leave it running in the garage, even if the door is open.
- If your car has a keyless ignition, double-check that you have turned the engine off.
- If your electricity is out, do NOT use the gas stove, a charcoal grill, or a fuel-powered space heater to warm the area. Keep gas-powered generators or engines at least 20 feet away from the house.
The U.S. Fire Administration put together a list of common carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms, which are often mistakenly believed to be the flu.
Low to moderate-level symptoms:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Shortness of Breath
- Nausea
- Dizziness
High-level symptoms:
- Mental confusion
- Vomiting
- Loss of muscular coordination
- Loss of consciousness
- Death
This valentine’s day, protect your loved ones safe by keeping this toxic gas out of your home.
Preventative maintenance allows a trusted, licensed Warrior plumber to identify any issues before the worst occurs.
Contact Warrior Plumbing and Heating at 443-967-3736 to schedule this critical service today.
