Did you know that carbon monoxide (CO) kills over 300 people annually in the United States? This is why it is so important that you allow Five Star Plumbing to test for carbon monoxide in your home once a year. If you suspect you have a carbon monoxide leak, it’s crucial you get your family and pets out of your residence immediately. Ways to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning in your home include the following.
Clean the Vents Regularly
The gas appliances that are approved to be inside your home have vents. This includes your gas stove, gas dryer, and furnace. Make sure to clean these vents regularly so that they release the carbon monoxide without problems. Clogged vents can push the carbon monoxide into your home rather than vent it outdoors.
Avoid Using Gas Appliances Indoors
When we say you should avoid using gas appliances indoors, we mean unapproved appliances. This includes camping stoves, generators, and barbecues. Don’t use any gas appliance in your house that isn’t approved for indoor use. Otherwise, you will release carbon monoxide into the indoor air.
Clean Your Fireplace and Chimney
It’s also important to keep your fireplace and chimney clean. A burning fireplace produces carbon monoxide, especially if you use the gas vents. Clean your fireplace throughout the winter to remove the excess ash and soot. Have your chimney swept once a year in the fall.
Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms
One of the best ways to prevent CO poisoning is to install carbon monoxide alarms in every room. This ensures that should carbon monoxide start to leak into the indoor environment, you will be alerted in plenty of time to get the family and pets out.
Test the Alarms Once a Month
Once you’ve installed the alarms, test them monthly to make sure they are still working. Replace the batteries when they need it. Replace the carbon monoxide alarms if they are no longer working to ensure you have active alarms throughout your home.
Schedule an Annual CO Test
Finally, as we mentioned in the introduction, we can conduct a carbon monoxide test in your home to make sure that nothing is leaking carbon monoxide into the environment. It is important that you do this at least once a year to ensure that your gas appliances are not creating a risk.0
Five Star Plumbing is located in San Antonio, TX. Call the location closest to you to schedule a gas leak test today.
