During those very cold winter months in Woodbridge, Virginia, your family is likely to spend much more time indoors. Unfortunately, not all homes provide a healthy environment because of factors that can affect the indoor air quality. Discover three reasons you need a carbon monoxide alarm in winter, and know how to keep your family safe.
Malfunctioning Heating Systems
Furnaces and other heating systems that don’t burn fuel completely are the most common causes of carbon monoxide emission. Malfunctioning furnaces and improperly installed heating systems can significantly increase carbon monoxide levels, and you will not be able to identify a problem until it’s too late. Only a carbon monoxide alarm can detect unsafe levels of this invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas. It will alert your family to a serious hazard before it affects your health.
Faulty Generators
Blizzards, ice storms, and other winter weather can cause any number of power outages throughout the season. To prepare for unpredictable power losses and keep essential appliances running, some homeowners rely on portable generators. If you have a need for a portable generator, make sure never to place it inside your home or in an enclosed space. Instead, position the generator outside, at least 20 feet from your home. Install a carbon monoxide alarm inside to ensure you have time to escape before dangerous fumes vent into your home and sicken your family.
Insufficient Ventilation
In the Woodbridge area, snowfall can wreak havoc on more than your commute. In fact, snow accumulations outside your home can cover exterior vents, compromising your home’s ability to ventilate natural gas fumes safely. After each snowfall, shovel or dust off each ventilation area to ensure that fumes can escape properly. Don’t hesitate to take an additional precaution and install a carbon monoxide alarm on all stories of your home and outside all sleeping areas to keep your family safe.
Concerned about the quality of the air inside your home? Contact the indoor air quality professionals at Brennan’s Heating & Air Conditioning. Call us today at 703-783-0145 to schedule an appointment.
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