Carbon Monoxide - The Silent Killer

This is a very important issue for the house because of all the possible problems in the home. We have inspected hundreds of homes with attached garages. Attached garages are convenient and nice, but can also be a cause of "carbon monoxide poisoning." This is an important issue because of all the homes inspected, only 1 carbon monoxide alarm in your home. It tells us that most individuals are not aware of any problems.

Just recently we were touring the home for mold contamination in Lake Worth, Fl. It was a typical 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with attached garage. During Mold inspection, we noticed the smell of gasoline in the hallway next to attached garage. We immediately informed the homeowner who took us into the garage. In the garage, we noticed that the storage of gasoline in the garage, the amount is five, five gallon containers of gas. All were full, but apparently a gas leak. homeowner removed the fuel storage area outside for proper ventilation.

The moral of this story is, if the gasoline vapor can enter the house through the garage door seal, then carbon monoxide gas can also enter the home. You can smell gasoline, but you can not smell smoke, carbon monoxide. You can not see or smell carbon monoxide. It can kill an individual in a short time at a high level.

carbon monoxide has been made whenever any source such as gasoline, oil, kerosene, wood or coal is burned. These products are not harmful to us unless they are put into a confined space, such as your home. idling car in the garage is a perfect example. improperly vented gas hot water heater is another example. We saw a lot of gas water heaters improperly vented to the outside. If you have one, has a well-trained professional check to make sure it is properly vented.

Every year, hundreds of people die from accidental CO or carbon monoxide poisoning due to malfunctioning or incorrectly installed devices. There are also many more who are dying from carbon monoxide poisoning produced by idling cars in the garage. That is why all homes should be equipped with carbon monoxide monitor to prevent these kinds of problems.

Tips to stay alive:

1 Do not idle your car in the garage, after the start and back from your garage, leave the door open to allow carbon monoxide from your car's exhaust to dissipate. Not a small generator in the garage either.

2 Do not use a gas grill, charcoal grill, propane burning stove or any other type of flame burning appliance in your home.

3 Do not use a gas oven or furnace in your home, unless it is properly vented to the outside. Check your oven right now, if you have one. If you do not have a properly trained professional inspect the system. Do not trust your life to anyone who says it is OK to burn the stove or oven in a house with no external exhaust system that comes on when you start the stove or oven to use.

4 Use common sense, if a flame, she must be exhausted to the outside of your home. Install carbon monoxide monitor in your home.

5 Fireplaces should always be vented to the outside. It is important that the flue should be checked to make sure that the proper preparation.

It is important that you have your indoor gas appliances checked annually to make sure they are properly in a safe manner, so as not to cause carbon monoxide poisoning in your home. If you have an attached garage, be extra careful with the car idling in the garage. Always garage after the air entering and exiting the garage with a car or truck. Read and follow manufacturer's instructions that came with your gas or fuel powered appliances. In an emergency, call 911 and seek medical help immediately if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning in your home.

The interesting thing about this article, a review was started as a mold inspection and ended up as gasoline falls. Incidentally, they also have Mold in your home. We had to have a Mold Remediation company come in and make a mold remediation project in their home. If you have any questions, feel free to call us or visit our web site. We would also recommend you go to the EPA's website and read their article on carbon monoxide as a supplement to this article.

Remember, carbon monoxide can kill you quietly.