Marina Occasions – Heat up winter safely

As nighttime temperatures begin to drop, the San Franciscans must remember that turning up the heating should be done safely. While embracing the comforting temperatures that fires, stoves, and space heaters bring into your home, it’s important to remember that these heating measures, if used improperly, can also be sources of deadly carbon monoxide (CO).

CO poisoning affects thousands of people each year, with most incidents occurring during the winter months. Worryingly, each December has an annual national average of more than 50 deaths and more than 2,100 non-fatal exposures, followed by an average of 69 deaths and more than 2,500 non-fatal exposures in January, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC also notes that deaths from accidental vehicle-induced carbon monoxide poisoning are higher during this period.

CO is colorless and odorless, so that humans cannot perceive it. That’s why California lawmakers enacted the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, which requires all existing single-family homes to be equipped with a fossil fuel source or attached garages with CO alarms to provide additional protection from CO poisoning. Compliance with such laws and other safety precautions can help prevent unfortunate accidents and save lives.

Both the CDC and the National Fire Protection Agency recommend installing CO alarms on every floor of a house and near each sleeping area for the best possible protection. First Alert, a leading manufacturer of home improvement products, has some additional suggestions on how to stay safe this winter by heating every room in your home.

kitchen

Rich, home-cooked meals with family and friends are fun, but stoves and ovens can be a potential hazard if not used and maintained properly. A broken stove or the use of foil on the bottom of a gas stove can cause serious CO pollution in the kitchen. And if the stove and oven are being used at the same time, it is advisable to crack a window until all the cooking appliances are no longer in use.

living room

Although a warm fire feels cozy, fireplaces are a potential hazard. Without proper cleaning and maintenance, soot and debris can build up in the chimney and lead to dangerous CO exposure. Have fireplaces professionally cleaned every year – ideally shortly before seasonal use so that the house fire burns safely.

Bedroom / home office

In winter, fuel-powered space heaters are often used to add some extra warmth to colder areas of the house, such as bedrooms and home offices. While these devices are effective, they can be a source of CO if the vents loosen or come loose. Before turning on a space heater, make sure that all parts are intact and safe. And always make sure to turn off or unplug space heaters, heating pads, and other electrical heating devices before going to sleep. Additionally, there are many energy efficient space heaters on the market that do not require fuel and are probably a better choice for your home.

garage

Another common but dangerous practice in winter is to “warm up” a vehicle before leaving the house. Car exhaust contains significant amounts of carbon monoxide, which can be devastating if in an enclosed space or in the main living areas of a house. If you are lucky enough to have a garage, never leave a car or other motorized vehicle running in a garage to keep your family safe.

Chimneys

With proper care and maintenance, you can enjoy the benefits of using your fireplace not only safely but also economically. More than a third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves, and other fuel-powered appliances as the primary sources of heat in their homes. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the fire hazard when heating with wood and solid fuels. House fires from a chimney can often be traced back to creosote deposits in chimneys and stove pipes. All heating systems require regular maintenance to function safely and efficiently. Have your chimney or stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.

Every time a wood fire burns, tar and creosote form. Creosote consists of unburned wood particles and condensed smoke gases. With every fire, these highly flammable substances accumulate inside the chimney and must be removed to avoid a fire. The Creosot Sweeping Log is widely used and contains a mixture of minerals that are dispersed during firing to coat and adhere the creosote. In the next 14 days, the creosote becomes brittle and breaks off. This patented chimney sweep is an alternative to mechanical cleaning and one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest ways to clean your chimney. Nevertheless, regular inspection of your chimney by a professional is recommended.

Knowing how CO can get into your home is an important first step in preventing problems, but without a carbon monoxide alarm no one is really safe from harm. Make sure these are installed along with fire alarms or combined CO / fire alarms throughout your home.