Fire Department Sends Out Warning About Health Hazard In WInter Months Everyone Should Be Aware Of

Dec 03, 2018

Winter has arrived and snow is blowing. With its arrival, you need to keep your family safe as the temperatures plummet.

Cold weather poses many threats including frostbite, hyperthermia, and bad road conditions. Another little-known risk is that of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

To keep everyone safe this winter, the fire department of Lee's Summit, Missouri, has gone to the trouble of releasing a statement that everyone in a cold climate should heed. The video shares their concerns and how to protect yourself in the coming months.

When the snow starts to drift up against your house, you need to pay attention, especially if you have a high-efficiency furnace. These furnaces draw fresh air in and exhausts fumes out through pipes on the side of the house. If those pipes get covered with snow, things could get deadly.

The Lee's Summit Fire Department warns that homeowners must get outside and dig those pipes out. If you don't, dangerous fumes could back up into the house. If the intake or exhaust pipes get blocked, carbon monoxide could build up in your home. And that could be deadly.

Another thing to check is the dryer vent, especially if your dryer uses gas instead of electricity.

All vents need to be checked frequently during periods of blowing or heavy snowfall.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is poisonous to humans. It is an invisible killer with over 150 people dying each year in the United States from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Breathing this lethal gas can kill you or cause brain damage.

Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and make sure you test them regularly. They will give you an audible warning if carbon monoxide starts to increase. The alarms should be outside every sleeping area in the home and on each level. When the alarm goes off, get outside the house and call 911.

Keep your doorways clear of drifting snow so you can get outside without problems.

Never risk your family's safety. While digging out snow-covered pipes might be a hassle, it could save you and your family's lives.

What measures do you plan on taking when the snow starts to fall and drift against the house? Let us know. Also, spread this message to family and friends for their safety.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!