Leading Chicagoland HVAC and plumbing company advises homeowners for Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month
NAPERVILLE, Ill., Jan. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Perfect Home Services, a leading Chicagoland heating, cooling and plumbing company with a 4.7-star Google rating, is offering four simple tips to keep Chicagoland homeowners safe from carbon monoxide poisoning during cold weather.
“January, which is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month, typically sees the highest number of accidental poisonings from carbon monoxide,” said Justin Carrol, president of Perfect Home Services. “The problem with CO is that you can’t see it, smell it or taste it, but the good news is that you can take easy steps to keep your home and loved ones safe.”
In sufficient quantities, carbon monoxide can sicken or kill anyone exposed. Young children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness and other flu-like symptoms.
“The only way to detect the gas in your home is with a CO detector, and Illinois law requires you have one within 15 feet of rooms used for sleeping for those homes that use fossil fuels to cook, heat or produce hot water or are connected to a garage,” Carrol said. “The biggest risk for poisoning comes when you’re asleep, so even if it wasn’t the law, we would still recommend installing detectors near sleeping areas.”
Carrol recommends Chicago-area families do the following to minimize their CO exposure risk:
- Check CO detectors’ batteries every month. Detectors typically come with a test button to make sure the batteries are still working. It’s also a good idea to replace the units every five years.
- Make sure heating units are well-maintained. Seasonal tune-ups performed twice a year allow service experts to look for potential problems. They will make sure that vents, flues and chimneys are cleaned and getting proper airflow.
- Practice proper ventilation. Make sure any fuel-burning appliances are in well-ventilated spaces and never in enclosed areas. Never start your car without opening your garage door first.
- Don’t use outdoor products inside. Items such as generators and camping stoves should only be used outside. Also avoid using solvents such as paint and varnish remover indoors whenever possible, as these can release a chemical that can break down into carbon monoxide when inhaled.
Perfect Home Services has been serving all of Chicago’s suburbs with the best heating, cooling, and plumbing services since 1992.
SOURCE Perfect Home Services
