4 Simple Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

Carbon monoxide safety is something that many people overlook on a regular basis. Carbon monoxide is one of the most dangerous gases that people can come in contact with on a regular basis. If you do not watch out for it, it could kill you or someone that you love dearly. As a homeowner, you owe it to yourself to become educated on the possible sources of carbon monoxide and how to avoid them. Here are a few simple carbon monoxide safety tips. 

1. Always Ventilate

When you are around something that puts out carbon monoxide, you want to remember to always properly ventilate the area. For example, if you are going to start the car to warm it up, make sure that you pull it out of the garage first. You want to make sure the gas has an easy way to get out into the open. For example, if you are going to barbecue on the grill, you want to make sure that you are not in an enclosed area. 

2. Get a Carbon Monoxide Detector

A carbon monoxide detector is a device that you need to have in your home. They are relatively inexpensive for the benefit that they provide. A good carbon monoxide detector will always alert you if it detects any sources of carbon monoxide in the house. You need to put them in areas where carbon monoxide may be an issue. For example, put one by the furnace to make sure that there is no carbon monoxide seeping out into the rest of the house. A carbon monoxide detector might seem like an unnecessary thing to own, but it can save lives. 

3. Avoid Enclosed Truck Beds

Another common problem with carbon monoxide is when people ride in the back of an enclosed truck bed. The camper shells that go on top of the back of a truck can trap carbon monoxide in them while the truck is running. The gas leaks up into the back of the truck and affects whoever is inside. This has led to the deaths of many children riding in the back of trucks over the years. Therefore, it is always best to have people ride in the cab where they are safe. 

4. Common Sense in Blackouts

Many people end up poisoning themselves during power outages with carbon monoxide. When the power is out, many times it is in the coldest part of the year and people need some way to warm themselves up. They often will use something that puts out carbon monoxide as a source of heat. For example, kerosene space heaters put off deadly carbon monoxide, but many people use them indoors. Electric generators are also a common hazard during blackouts as people use them to turn the power back on temporarily. The gas can sneak inside the house and end up hurting someone as a result. Some people decide to build a fire in a bucket in order to create some heat. Doing this indoors can kill you if you do not properly ventilate the smoke.