Be Safe: Use Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The purpose of this article is not to frighten you so that you never use your fireplace again, but to educate you about some of the dangers a fireplace can produce.

The purpose of this article is not to frighten you so that you never use your fireplace again, but to educate you about some of the dangers a fireplace can produce. One threat is the danger of fire when a fireplace is left unattended and a hot coal, spark, or log falls out of the fireplace and onto the floor. While this is truly
a potential threat and no fireplace should be left unattended, there are other more menacing threats a fireplace can cause produce. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and highly poisonous gas. It is released by the incomplete burning of carbon or a carbonaceous material, such as wood or gas. If your fireplace is not properly ventilated, this deadly gas can escape into your home.

How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

You may be surprised to learn that carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of poisoning death in the United States, which is why every home should have both smoke detectors as well as CO detectors. If your home fills up with CO, because of either a clogged fireplace chimney or faulty furnace, you can become poisoned without even realizing it, because CO is a colorless and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide alarms/ detectors are not jest for homes with fireplaces. They also great with homes that have attached garages (especially if a child?s bedroom is located above the garage), gas furnaces, gas heating, or homes that have small children who are more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning. These alarms will alert you if the
carbon monoxide level in your home reaches a dangerous level. As with smoke alarms, CO detectors should be placed on every level of your home as well as in the garage.

The first step in preventing carbon monoxide problems is having ensuring that your fireplace is properly ventilated and having your chimney and fireplace cleaned regularly. Remember, if smoke or other gases are spilling into your home, chances are carbon monoxide is also. In many areas, you can contact your local Fire Department to inspect and ensure your fireplace is properly ventilated. If the Fire Department does not provide this service in your area, then check the Yellow Pages for professional chimney sweeps.

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