Carbon monoxide may come from a wide array of household appliances, such as gas clothes dryers, gas or charcoal grills, water heaters, furnaces, gas ranges or stoves, and wood or gas fireplaces. You have sources in your home capable of producing carbon monoxide, like fuel-burning space heaters, car exhaust, and gas or charcoal grills. Using these features and appliances when they have venting malfunctions or in poorly ventilated areas can lead to carbon monoxide building up quickly. If you have a closed woodstove flue or clogged chimney, carbon monoxide can back up into your home. Mr. Electric of Citrus & Marion County makes your safety our top priority and outlines the following methods to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your home:

• Install CO detectors in your home (Minimum of one detector per level and outside each bedroom).
• Change your CO detector batteries every six to 12 months.
• Never run a vehicle, generator, or device with a fuel-fed motor inside your garage or home.
• Always turn off your vehicle when parked in your garage.
• Look for the American Gas Association or Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) seal of approval when purchasing gas appliances or equipment.
• Have a licensed appliance professional inspect your gas appliances annually.
• Never use flameless chemical heaters in enclosed spaces or indoors.
• If you have a malfunctioning gas appliance, have a service expert repair it.
• Always open your flue when burning a fire in your furnace or fireplace.
• Do not heat your home with a gas oven.
• Always operate grills in a well-ventilated outdoor area.
• When camping, use battery-operated heaters.
• Adjust all gas appliances properly, using an exhaust fan when appropriate.
• Understand which sound is your smoke detector and which is your CO detector.
• Contact your local fire department if you can’t afford a CO detector. Programs are in place to help low-income households and the elderly acquire these devices.