One of the biggest dangers to you and anyone else in your home is carbon monoxide (CO). It is a molecule that is produced during combustion when there is not sufficient oxygen present, and is dangerous to people.

Signs of CO Poisoning

You can become poisoned from even low amounts of CO. At a low dose, you will likely experience headaches, trouble breathing, nausea, discomfort and confusion. Higher amounts of CO will exacerbate these symptoms and are often fatal. If you are exposed to small amounts of CO long-term, it’s possible to suffer brain and body damage. In short, it pays to be aware of CO and how to stay safe from it.

Preventing CO Poisoning

CO is not only colorless, but it’s also odorless, which means people can’t detect it in the air. The only practical defense against CO is preventing the formation and accumulation of it, and using CO detectors to alarm you when levels rise to dangerous amounts in your home.

To prevent formation and accumulation of CO, never use major fuel-burning appliances in a confined area. Most cars emit some CO, but as long as you aren’t in your garage, the CO can disseminate into the atmosphere. For the same reason, proper ventilation while using appliances is also important.

You can buy CO detectors at most large home retail stores and even grocery stores. Detectors are highly regulated, so all of them meet high standards and are reliable. You can opt for a combination smoke and CO detector or a separate unit altogether. While some need to be wired in to your electrical grid, most simply plug into an outlet and have a backup battery installed as well.

You should have at least one CO detector per floor in your home, and installing it in an open area where air passes through freely, like a hallway, is a good idea. Avoid putting one directly over appliances like fuel-burning stoves that could cause some unnecessary alarms.

For help protecting your family in your Peachtree City home from CO poisoning, contact Powers Heating and Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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