What is carbon monoxide?  How do I know if I have carbon monoxide in my home?
Carbon Monoxide is an invisible and odorless gas produced by incomplete burning of natural gas, propane, gasoline, charcoal or wood.  Carbon monoxide may result from your heating unit, stove or water heater working improperly. 

When your furnace is running, the fuel that is burned produces carbon dioxide. But if the resulting carbon dioxide is burned a second time, carbon monoxide is then produced.  A crack in your heat exchanger creates a greater chance for the carbon dioxide to mix with the air, burn, and produces carbon monoxide.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and in extreme cases, loss of consciousness.  Infants and young children will be affected first.

Homeowners should have their heating equipment and water heaters checked annually by a qualified technician.  Blocked vent pipes and malfunctioning equipment are common causes for carbon monoxide.

Homeowners should have a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home.  (Do not put a detector in the basement or kitchen or false readings will occur.)  When buying a carbon monoxide detector, make sure it has a digital read out and a self cleaning sensor to reduce the chance of false alarms.  If the alarm goes off, open the windows and call us to have your home checked.  If individuals in the household are feeling ill, leave the house and call the fire department.