State health officials Friday warned Coloradans not to cut corners to heat their homes by using alternative heating sources, such as coal, propane, kerosene, charcoal, oil or wood burned in a fireplace, as these sources can produce dangerous carbon monoxide levels.
Susan Parachini, a manager for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Consumer Protection Division, said, "If the home is not vented properly or if gas appliances are not in proper working order, carbon monoxide poisoning can occur."
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Parachini explained that carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that can be potentially harmful. Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of any fuel including natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, coal, charcoal, gasoline or wood.
Parachini provided a few tips to stay warm indoors:
- Close heating vents and doors in unused rooms.
- Contact the utilities company to obtain information about qualifying for budget billing.
- Wear clothing in layers or wear an extra sweater.
- Install a programmable thermostat.
- Have an energy audit conducted to learn how to prevent heat loss.
Parachini advised Coloradans to take the following safety precautions to avoid carbon monoxide buildup in the home:
- Do not use portable heaters powered by propane or kerosene in the home. Not only are they expensive to operate, they can also be a safety hazard. Electric space heaters also can be an extreme fire hazard if used incorrectly.
- Do not try to use a range or an oven as a supplemental heater, and never use charcoal or propane grills indoors.
- Have natural gas furnaces and major natural gas appliances checked regularly by a qualified technician.
- Check vents and chimneys to make certain they're clear and undamaged. Watch for loose mortar or bricks in the chimney that can slip and block airways.
- Have wood-burning stoves and new fireplaces installed and vented by a professional.
- Clear snow and ice away from vents on the exterior of the house.
- Do not seal off all the fresh-air sources in the home when weatherizing. A fresh air supply is critical for the complete combustion of any fuel source and to help remove pollutants. This can cause dangerous carbon monoxide fumes to build up in the home and could create a serious fire hazard.
- Avoid operating gasoline-burning engines, such as a car or lawnmower, in unventilated areas such as a garage where the exhaust fumes may enter the home.
- Consider purchasing a carbon monoxide detector. It will sound an alert if there is a harmful carbon monoxide level in the home.
For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning, call 303-692-3620.