Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Awareness and Safety Tips

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and deadly. Your home and business need to be protected against leaks before it’s too late—since the gas is virtually undetectable by our regular senses, having a detector is an absolute necessity to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning in Oklahoma City, OK. Not only should you have a detector (or several, depending on what kind of home or business you own), you’ll need an evacuation plan in place in the event that the alarm ever sounds. Most importantly, you should take steps to prevent a carbon monoxide leak from ever happening in the first place.

Signs of a carbon monoxide leak

Even if you have multiple carbon monoxide detectors, low levels of the gas may not trip the alarms. Prolonged exposure to the gas can result in headaches, nausea, dizziness, general malaise, physical discomfort and fatigue, as well as chest pain if you’re prone to heart conditions.

If you or your colleagues should experience these symptoms, ventilate the building by opening doors and windows and call the fire department and an HVAC professional at once. If you operate a restaurant, you should also call a professional to inspect your cooking equipment for potential leaks.

Once you’re outside and safely away from the danger, perform a head count to ensure everyone made it out of the building. Carbon monoxide can cause people to faint, which obviously inhibits their ability to evacuate. Infants and the elderly are especially susceptible to the gas, and should receive medical attention immediately if they’re showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning in Oklahoma City, OK. With over 400 deaths per year due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and another 24,000 visiting hospitals to be treated, the gas poses a clear risk.

Prevent a carbon monoxide leak

The best thing you can do to prevent carbon monoxide leaks is scheduling regular HVAC maintenance twice yearly. Your technician will inspect any fuel-burning appliances, vents, chimneys and appliances. Dailey Heating & Air Conditioning offers regular preventative maintenance contracts, which are designed for businesses. For homeowners, a yearly inspection should be sufficient, but if you notice any signs of poisoning, seek immediate medical attention, then schedule an inspection as soon as the danger has passed.

Heat exchanger malfunction is the main source of a carbon monoxide leak, unless you’re in a professional kitchen that uses gas. Vents and chimneys can also harbor blockages that will allow carbon monoxide to accumulate indoors.

Let us help you prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in Oklahoma City, OK

Here at Dailey Heating & Air Conditioning, we know that quality HVAC services go far beyond AC installation and heating system repair. In order to really offer complete HVAC care, a business needs to also offer comprehensive and efficient maintenance services, including efforts that can help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in Oklahoma City, OK. Our highly qualified experts are proud to do just that, and we have been leading the way in local HVAC maintenance since 1994. Contact us today to find out more or to schedule a service appointment.

Categorised in: Carbon Monoxide

This post was written by Writer