| Be alert to the dangers of excessive home | | | | In addition to the symptoms of illness, a number of |
| weatherizing and carbon monoxide poisoning | | | | other signs can alert you to the presence of carbon |
| For a variety of reasons, including reducing energy | | | | monoxide in your house. Although carbon monoxide is |
| consumption and saving money, homeowners are | | | | problematic to detect, a stuffy, stale smell in your |
| informed of the benefits of weatherizing the home. | | | | house may be a warning of its presence and not |
| Despite these advantages, there is a major negative | | | | necessarily an indication that you should clean out the |
| to making your home too airtight, it being, carbon | | | | closets. If you have already taken measures to |
| monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a potentially fatal gas | | | | reduce moisture in your house, and you still see |
| that can go undetected in your home. In order to | | | | dripping water condensation on your windows, |
| avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, be aware of the | | | | carbon monoxide may be present in your home. |
| signals signifying its dangerous presence. | | | | Moreover, closely inspect your stove to see that the |
| Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that is difficult to | | | | normal blue flame you get upon ignition has not been |
| detect without the assistance of a special detector | | | | replaced by a yellow burner flame. Or, if the pilot light |
| alarm. When inhaled, carbon monoxide immediately | | | | in your furnace continues to go out, turn off the |
| begins to deplete the amount of red blood cells in | | | | suspect equipment, evacuate everyone from the |
| your blood. Depending on the amount of time you | | | | house and call a licensed heating contractor. A close |
| have been exposed to the gas, you may begin to | | | | inspection of your house may reveal that the source |
| experience a number of symptoms of varying | | | | of carbon monoxide comes directly from your stove, |
| concentrations. A low level concentration symptom | | | | fireplace, furnace or even your car. Although you |
| may include headache or shortness of breath, while a | | | | would not know it, it is possible that your appliances |
| high level concentration is signified by | | | | have not been installed properly. |
| unconsciousness or brain damage. In between these | | | | When your home is too airtight, dangerous carbon |
| two extremes, there may be nausea, vomiting or | | | | monoxide gases begin to seep into the air without |
| drowsiness. Unfortunately, the low level concentration | | | | you being aware of it. Like you, your house needs to |
| will produce symptoms that could easily be confused | | | | be able to breathe. Excessive weatherizing has the |
| with a flu-like illness, making it entirely possible to | | | | potential to block the necessary flow of air needed |
| misdiagnose your condition. Each year there are many | | | | for the safe operation of all appliances and heating |
| fatal cases of carbon monoxide poisoning due to | | | | equipment. Clear the air in your house with proper |
| individuals failing to identify the true cause of their | | | | ventilation, know the dangers of excessive |
| illness and to their continued exposure to the deadly | | | | weatherization and don't give carbon monoxide the |
| gas. | | | | chance to harm you and your family. |