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Carbon Monoxide - "The Silent Killer"
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, sometimes known as the silent killer, can be caused by improper care and use of home heating sources; and unless important heating safety precautions are taken, it can strike your family.
According to a recent study from the Home Safety Council, the State of Home Safety in America Report™, 67 percent of households use gas, wood, kerosene, coal or fuel as their major heating source, which release carbon monoxide when burned. More than 100,000 medical visits each year are caused by old or poorly serviced heating sources.
"Odorless and colorless, carbon monoxide poses a very harmful threat to our families," said David Oliver, president and executive director, Home Safety Council. "Unfortunately, only 35 percent of homeowners have a carbon monoxide detector in their home - leaving more than half of families in danger of CO poisoning."
According to the report, CO poisoning from heating equipment causes five percent, or nearly 300 cases, of unintentional home-poisoning deaths each year.
Carbon monoxide poisoning isn't the only winter safety threat; the number of house fires increase as the months grow colder. The State of Home Safety in America Report found that 97 percent of homes have smoke alarms installed, but only 19 percent test them properly. That leaves millions of smoke alarms untested, and perhaps ineffective.
"The winter months lead the rest in the number of home fires, most likely due to homeowners using alternative heating sources such as wood stoves, fireplaces or space heaters," said Oliver. "To reduce the number of winter home fires, people need to properly install and maintain alternative heating equipment, monitor the carbon monoxide levels in their home, and use extreme care when burning wood for heat."
Space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves are all leading causes of winter home fires and CO poisoning. The Home Safety Council recommends the following tips to avoid potential dangers:
Install at least one smoke alarm and CO alarm on every level of your home and near the sleeping areas.
Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up central heating system and repair leaks.
Keep gas appliances properly adjusted and serviced.
Never use a cooking stove to heat your home.
Fireplaces and wood stoves
Verify that wood stoves bear the label of a recognized testing laboratory (e.g. UL) and meet local fire codes.
Burn only wood and be sure the wood stove is placed on an approved stove board to protect the floor from heat and hot embers.
Keep all persons and flammable objects, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing and pets, at least 36 inches away from fireplaces and wood stoves.
Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
Hire a professional sweep to clean your chimney at least once a year to prevent creosote build-up.
Space Heaters
Turn off space heaters before leaving a room or going to sleep.
Supervise children and pets at all times when a portable space heater is in use.
Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
Never use space heaters to dry flammable items such as clothing or blankets.
Use space heaters in well ventilated areas.
Keep all flammable objects at least three feet from space heaters.
"Homeowners need to be aware that heating appliances have safety dangers that must be addressed to keep our families safe," Oliver added.
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Copyright © Lowes' Home Safety Council. Please exercise reasonable caution, follow applicable codes and regulations, and consult with a professional if in doubt about any procedures. Please read Lowes' terms of use. Reprinted with permission from Lowes. The Home Safety Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated solely to the prevention of and education about home injuries.
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