Carbon Monoxide Safety

At Irving Energy our technicians are trained in the proper maintenance of your heating appliances. Having your system properly installed and maintained at regular intervals is the best way to ensure your heating systems does not contribute to the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Please review the following carbon monoxide safety tips with your family provided by the US Centers for Disease Control and Health Canada

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic gas, and is often referred to as the ‘silent killer”. When inhaled it inhibits the blood’s capacity to transport oxygen throughout the body. It can poison the body quickly in high concentrations, or slowly over long periods of time.

What are symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness and even loss of consciousness, In severe cases, CO poisoning can cause brain damage and death. The elderly, children and people with heart or respiratory conditions may be particularly sensitive to CO.

What do I do if I suspect carbon monoxide levels are dangerous in my home (symptoms or alarm going off):

If you or anyone else in your home is experiencing the symptoms of CO poisoning, ensure that everyone leaves the home immediately, leaving the door open. Call your local fire department or 91 1 from a neighbors telephone.
If your CO detector sounds do NOT assume it to be a false alarm. Open all doors and windows to ventilate the home. If you cannot find the problem and the alarm continues, contact the fire department.
If there is a strong smell of propane in your home, evacuate immediately, leaving the door open and call your local fire department or 911, then Irving Energy at 888-310-1924 from a neighbors telephone,.
If your fire department finds or suspects that there are/were dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home, they may encourage you to call your heating service provider. If so, please call us immediately at 888-310-1924.

How Is carbon monoxide generated In the home?
Carbon monoxide is a by-product of incomplete combustion of fuel such as natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, coal, charcoal, gasoline or wood. This incomplete combustion can occur in any device that depends on combustion, such as furnaces, room heaters, fireplaces, hot water heaters, stoves or grills and any gas powered vehicle or engine. Automobiles left running in attached garages, gas barbecues operated inside the house, grills or kerosene heaters that are not properly vented, or chimneys or vents that are dirty or plugged may create unsafe levels of CO.

When properly installed, maintained and vented, any CO produced by these devices will not stay inside the home.

Carbon monoxide alarms:

Irving Energy recommends you purchase and install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors in your home.
Carbon monoxide alarms are sold in hardware, department and other retail stores. No matter what make or model you choose, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing, maintaining and testing the device.

Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed, maintained and replaced as per the manufacturer’s instruction. A smoke detector won’t detect carbon monoxide.

Always follow the manufactures instructions on the placement of the alarm.

Look for these features when buying a CO alarm:

CGA blue flame symbol
Approved to CSA 6.19 or UL 2034 standard
Reset button

To keep safe, please remember:

You have a responsibility to know about the dangers of carbon monoxide. Your knowledge and actions may save lives.
CO detectors are a good second line of defense, but do not eliminate the need for regular inspection, maintenance and safe use of fuel-burning equipment.
Take the time to learn about the use of CO detectors in your home to ensure your are using this equipment properly and effectively

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CARBON MONOXIDE FROM THE US CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CARBON MONOXIDE FROM HEALTH CANADA

CLICK HERE TO SEE POTENTIAL CARBON MONOXIDE SOURCES IN THE HOME (GRAPHIC)