IVFD responds to pair of carbon monoxide calls

The Imperial Volunteer Fire Department responded to two calls Friday concerning carbon monoxide.
The first call came from the Raymond and Bernita Greeley residence in northeast Chase County at 7:19 a.m.
IVFD Fire Chief Doug Mitchell said the Greeley’s furnace “needed attention.”
By the time IVFD had evacuated the Greeleys, Black Hills Energy employees were there to take care of it and Troxell’s Heating and Appliance also inspected the unit.
“Thank goodness they had carbon monoxide detectors,” Mitchell said.
He added that CO readings were high in the house and the Greeleys did the right thing by calling it in.
The second call came in hours later at 1:10 p.m. to 1401 Court Street.
A water heater exhaust pipe came loose, causing high CO readings. The house also had a CO detector which alerted Halie Moore when she came home for lunch.
Brad Wheeler, IVFD first assistant chief, speculated that the recent high winds may have loosened the pipe outside.
The Centers for Disease Control advises a furnace inspection every year and to install and maintain CO detectors near every sleeping area in homes. Generators should never be used in homes or garages, even if doors and windows are open, and should be used more than 20 feet away from homes, doors and windows.

Preventing CO poisoning
Install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. Place your detector where it will wake you up if it alarms, such as outside your bedroom. Consider buying a detector with a digital readout. This detector can tell you the highest level of CO concentration in your home in addition to alarming. Replace your CO detector every five years.
Have your heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters indoors.
If you smell an odor from your gas refrigerator have an expert service it. An odor from your gas refrigerator can mean it could be leaking CO.
When you buy gas equipment, buy only equipment carrying the seal of a national testing agency, such as Underwriters’ Laboratories.
Make sure your gas appliances are vented properly. Horizontal vent pipes for appliances, such as a water heater, should go up slightly as they go toward outdoors, as shown below. This prevents CO from leaking if the joints or pipes aren’t fitted tightly.
Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys can be blocked by debris. This can cause CO to build up inside your home or cabin.
Never patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or something else. This kind of patch can make CO build up in your home, cabin, or camper.
Never use a gas range or oven for heating. Using a gas range or oven for heating can cause a build up of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper.
Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal – red, gray, black, or white – gives off CO.
Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors. Using a gas camp stove indoors can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.
Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.
When using a generator, use a battery-powered or battery backup CO detector in your home.
https://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm

 

The Imperial Republican

308-882-4453 (Phone)

622 Broadway St

PO Box 727

Imperial, NE 69033