Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

With the weather starting to cool off around Long Island, we at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration would like to take the time to remind everyone about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is fatal in high doses. Since it is colorless and odorless, it is undetectable by humans, which is why many people call it “the silent killer”. Carbon monoxide poisoning rates tend to spike in the colder months because most home heating equipment emits it as it operates, and we tend to spend more hours indoors.

With that said, here are a few safety tips to help keep you and your family safe this season:

• Test the alarms in your home. Since carbon monoxide is impossible to detect on our own, we have to use the help of electronic sensors. Take five minutes to test the detectors in your home and replace the batteries. If you don't have sensors, make installing some a priority.
• Have your heating equipment inspected. Furnaces and fireplaces both produce carbon monoxide as they generate heat. Usually, this gas is safely released to the outside, but even a small block in the vent could prove to be deadly. Have your systems professionally inspected each year to make sure everything is operating efficiently and safely.
• Clear your car tailpipe. Believe it or not, you are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when you drive your car. Vehicles produce carbon monoxide and release it through the tailpipe. However, if your tailpipe is blocked with snow or slush, the gas could release to the inside of the car. Make sure your tailpipe is completely clear before starting your car in winter conditions.

GreenProCleaning & Restoration offers air duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. Visit our website to learn how we can improve the air quality in your home, or give us a call at (631) 940-8100.