Unfortunately our temperatures will be dropping once again this week. That means it's likely our furnaces, fire places, and other heating appliances will be working overtime. With this in mind Sioux Falls Fire Rescue officials want you to be aware of fire and carbon monoxide safety.
We spoke with Russ Downs, a fire inspector, with Sioux Falls Fire Rescue. He says if you haven't done it already, it is very important to get your furnace and fireplace checked by professionals. He says they will be able to make sure everything is venting properly and that you don't have any leaks.
Downs also says it's very important to be careful with space heaters and candles. When it comes to candles he says candles that come in jars are a safer variety to buy. He says you need to remember to blow them out when you leave a room or especially before you go to bed. He also says make sure you keep kids and pets away from the open flame. Downs says the department absolutely gets called to fires every year that have started by a candle.
When our temperature continues to drop this week many people will be pulling out a space heater. Downs says they are great for supplemental heat but you still need to be careful. He says make sure you give a lot of clearance around the space heater and keep kids away.
Another concern during cold weather is Carbon Monoxide poisoning. This is more likely to be a problem during cold weather when people are more likely to be using their gas furnaces and heaters. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas. Appliances fueled with gas, oil, kerosene, or wood can produce Carbon Monoxide. Downs warns that you shouldn't be using anything for heat that isn't meant to be used in that way. For example he says it's not safe to use your gas stove to heat your home. Officials say it is very important to get yearly maintenance on your gas-burning home appliances.
Fire Inspector Russ Downs says you need to make sure you have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. While you want your smoke detectors mounted high on a wall, a carbon monoxide detector can be placed at any level. Downs says a carbon monoxide detector will alert your family to a problem and give you enough time to get out of your home.
Downs says there are a few ways you can spot a potential carbon monoxide problem. If you have a detector with a digital read of carbon monoxide levels, watch the numbers when your furnace turns on. If the numbers climb while it is running, but then start to fall when the furnace turns off, there is a good chance you have a leak. Also if you had a headache and flu-like symptoms when you are home but they go away when you are outside or at work then you might have a problem. Downs also says you shouldn't be grilling in your garage or warming up your car inside your garage. He says the room can fill with the dangerous gas which then can get into your home when you open the door.
Some symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include a headache and flu-like symptoms. Those would include nausea, dizziness, and confusion. Experts say another sign would be if your entire family started experiencing those symptoms. These symptoms will likely hit young children harder as their bodies are much smaller. If your detector goes off you should get out of the house immediatly and call 911. Or if you are experiencing symptoms you should also get out of the house into the fresh air and call for help.
