Winter Electrical Safety Tips - Carbon Monoxide

Are you aware of what carbon monoxide is and its danger to you and your loved ones? Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas which causes severe injury even at minimal exposure, and causes death when concentration level is high. Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen on any given day, but studies have shown it occurs more frequently in the winter months due to individuals using artificial heating methods. Here are a few tips to protect yourself and others from this dangerous gas...

1. Never use a camp stove inside! When the power goes out and your boiler won't boil and your furnace won't blow heat you may get cold quickly, but never use a camp stove or fossil fuel burner inside your home. It may warm the space, but you will unknowingly expose those inside to carbon monoxide. 

2. Never use your gas oven for heat! As stated above, this may provide heat but you will be exposed to carbon monoxide. 

3. Signs of carbon monoxide exposure include, but are not limited to: dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, vision problems, and/or rapid heartbeat. Seek medical attention immediately!

4. Do you have carbon monoxide detectors in your home and office? If you don't we would strongly encourage you to look into installing these. Many companies make detectors which detect and set off an alarm for both smoke and carbon monoxide so you won't have to have many devices on you wall or ceilings. 

5. Have you considered purchasing and installing a home standby generator for days when the power does go out and you need a source of heat in your structure? Now you know using your gas oven or a camping stove is very dangerous to you and your loved ones, don't make the same mistake again, find a safe alternate heat source before you need it again!

Contact us here at Spectrum Electrical Services, Inc. for all your detector and generator needs!