You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous. However, if appliances are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result. Hundreds of people die accidentally every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances. Even more die from CO produced by idling cars. Fetuses, infants, elderly people, and people with anemia or with a history of heart or respiratory disease can be especially susceptible.

Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. At moderate levels, you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated, or faint. You can even die if these levels persist for a long time. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches, and may have longer term effects on your health. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that CO poisoning could be the cause.
Play it Safe
 

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is The Key

 
If you have fuel-burning appliances gas furnaces, gas ranges and ovens, gas water heaters, gas dryers, gas heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces you should have them inspected by a Shavitz technicians at the beginning of every heating season. in addition, we will make certain if you have any flues and chimneys that they are connected, are in good condition, and not blocked in any way.
 

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

 
Carbon Monoxide Detectors are widely available in stores and we suggest you and your family have one as a back-up. However, having a carbon monoxide detector is not a replacement for the proper use and maintenance of your fuel-burning appliances. In addition, some carbon monoxide detectors varr in their performance. Some perform well while others failed to alarm even at very high carbon monoxide levels. At Shavitz we recommend that you should not let buying a carbon monoxide detector give you a false sense of security and should always have your appliances checked by our technicians. Preventing carbon monoxide from becoming a problem in your home is better than relying on an alarm.

Call us today to schedule a complete testing.