Columns and Letters

Column: Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning this winter

-by Bonnie MacIsaac

    Earlier this month, a Montreal doctor, Dr. David Kaiser warned drivers about leaving their vehicle running while cleaning snow off it. Kaiser who works for Public Health stated it can be fatal! The tailpipe must be cleared off snow first, before the vehicle is turned on. Kaiser stressed that it can take as little as a minute for carbon monoxide levels to reach dangerous levels!
    How many times have we walked out and started the vehicle before clearing off snow? How many times have we put children in the car, buckled them in while we brushed the snow off the vehicle? Did you clear the tail pipe first?
    A good time for a few reminders to make dealing with the cold weather safer for you, your family, and your pets. I have a feeling we have lots more wintery conditions to weather! While a rumbling furnace may be music to our frostbitten ears, it’s important to respect the silent threat our heat sources may pose. Because so many of us heat our homes with carbon-based fuels such as wood, oil, propane, or natural gas, we need to be aware that our heat sources carry the potential for carbon monoxide leaks. Other possible risk sources include charcoal grills, diesel generators, kerosene lamps, and heaters and any other appliance that operates on combustion. If these appliances aren’t properly vented and maintained, a buildup of carbon monoxide may result.
    Carbon monoxide (CO) is a tasteless, colourless, and odourless poisonous gas often referred to as “the silent killer.” It is produced when fuels such as natural gas, oil, wood, propane, and kerosene don’t get enough air to burn up completely. Damaged or blocked venting inside heating systems, as well as inadequate air flow can allow CO to build up inside the home.
    CO continues to be a considerable safety issue in Canada. Each year in this country there are thousands of calls related to carbon monoxide received by emergency responders. When the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) examined these incidents, it identified human factors as the leading cause. This clearly indicates that taking safety precautions could help reduce the number and/or severity of CO incidents. The best way to ensure that you and your family are not exposed to the dangers of CO is to eliminate it at the source. Make maintenance of your fuel burning appliances, equipment, and venting systems an absolute priority.
    In the absence of CO alarms, the only way to know if carbon monoxide is present is if the physical symptoms of CO poisoning become apparent. But by then it might be too late to avoid injury. Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. They are similar to the flu – nausea, headache, burning eyes, confusion, and drowsiness – except there is no fever. If they appear, get everyone, including pets, outside to fresh air immediately and call 911.
    Proper maintenance of fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces, and their venting systems is your best defence against the dangers of carbon monoxide in your home. Your second line of defence is the installation of certified CO alarms. They will warn you of rising levels of carbon monoxide giving you and your family the time to escape the hazard and correct the problem.
    Reduce your risk.  Never:
– Allow a car to idle in a garage, even with the garage door open;
– Run a gas-powered generator in an enclosed space;
– Use a charcoal grill indoors;
– Neglect maintenance on appliances that run on gas, oil, wood or propane-and always ensure their venting systems are in good working order.
    Since CO alarms do not detect fire or smoke and smoke alarms do not detect CO, your home needs both CO and smoke alarms. Install them on every level of your home or cottage in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Units that combine the function of both CO and smoke alarms into one are available. Once installed, remember to test your alarms once a month by pushing the test button on the unit.
    Test the batteries! No CO or smoke alarm can work if the batteries are dead. Batteries need to be replaced once every year. Make it a habit to change the batteries every fall when you change your clocks.
    Like most things, CO and smoke alarms wear out with age. They have to be replaced in order to ensure maximum effectiveness and safety for your family. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for information on when yours should be replaced.
    Annual inspections are a must. In Canada, we depend on our heating systems to keep us safe and warm when the thermometer plunges and the snow flies. It not only makes sense to check and maintain your furnace, it is vitally important. Heating systems that consume fuel such as gas, oil or wood need to be inspected and maintained annually. It’s the only way to ensure efficient and safe operation.
    While you can and should change filters and check for leaks, the only person qualified to inspect your natural gas, propane, or oil furnace is a certified heating technician.
TSSA offers these maintenance tips: Avoid “fly-by-nighters” – especially people who show up at your door offering special deals.
– Ask a friend or your fuel supplier for recommendations.
– Obtain at least three written estimates that include the type of work being done, who will do the work as well as start and completion dates.
– Determine whether repairs are covered by a warranty.
– Furnace inspections are your responsibility. If you don’t arrange it, it won’t get done! Don’t forget! Have your furnace inspected annually. Stay warm!
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    Speaking of carbon monoxide...During power outages, many people are charging their cell-phones in their vehicles and getting warm at the same time. Be smart about it, especially during a snowstorm.
    Always ensure the tailpipe of your vehicle is clear from snow or any other obstruction if you are in a running vehicle. Same goes for if you are stuck in a snowbank or in your driveway with your vehicle. Never have it running if the tailpipe is covered in snow.
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    When you are bundling up for the winter, remember that your pet will need some extra care. Here are some reminders from the Humane Society to help our furry friends get through winter safely:
– Cold temperatures combined with dampness and wind chill are a deadly mix that can lead to frostbite and/or hypothermia. Even if your dog spends extended periods of time outdoors, he cannot protect himself from the extreme cold and biting wind and should be brought indoors.
– Frostbite occurs when the fluids in tissues freeze, most frequently on the tips of ears, the paws or pads, and the flank or underbelly. Hypothermia occurs when the animal's body temperature drops significantly below normal. This low body temperature causes the body's immune system to shut down and can cause death. If you suspect frostbite or hypothermia, your pet must be taken to a veterinarian immediately.
– Check your dog's feet after trips outside for clumps of ice between the pads. Sharp ice can cut the pads of paws and increase the danger of frostbite. Also, clean the paws to remove any salt that can irritate your pet's paws. If your pet has to lick his/her feet clean, the chemicals in the salt will make him or her sick.
– Antifreeze is a deadly poison. The sweet taste and smell of antifreeze could lure your pet into a death trap. Make sure you tighten the lids on all your chemicals and keep them away from pets.
– Cats looking for shelter in the winter might crawl up into your vehicle's warm engine. They can get caught in the fan and become seriously injured (or worse) when you start your engine. Honk the horn, open the hood of your car, or bang loudly on the hood before starting your car to frighten away any animals sleeping there.
    This winter, please remember, if it's too cold for you outside, it's cold for your pet!
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    Are you taking part in the #9PMRoutine? The RCMP has recently launched the 9 p.m. Routine, an international crime prevention initiative, to Nova Scotia.
    The 9 p.m. Routine was created in 2017 by the Pasco County Sheriff's Office in Florida and has since spread to police forces across the United States and Canada. It encourages residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from becoming victims of crime by locking and securing their homes and vehicles every night at 9 p.m. The initiative also encourages people to lead by example and share through social media that they have completed the routine using the hashtag #9PMRoutine.
    Crimes against property can often be crimes of opportunity. For example, if a potential thief happens upon an unlocked car with keys or a wallet on the seat, they are likely to open the car door and take what's inside. By simply removing those valuables from your vehicle and locking it, you can help prevent crimes of opportunity and avoid waking up to find your keys, wallet, or even your car missing.
    The 9 p.m. Routine has a few simple steps:
1. Remove keys, wallets, cash, garage door openers, and other valuables from vehicles.
2. Ensure vehicle and home windows are shut (and locked, if possible).
3. Close and lock doors on vehicles and homes.
4. Close overhead garage doors.
5. Turn on outside lights.
6. Post that you've completed the #9PMRoutine on social media and tag Nova Scotia RCMP.
    RCMPNS will be sharing 9 p.m. Routine reminders regularly on Facebook and Twitter. Help protect your family, friends, and community by following the 9 p.m. Routine to show potential offenders you won't tolerate property crime in your neighbourhood.
    Thanks to RCMPNS for this information! Help spread the word using the hashtag #9PMRoutine and tagging RCMPNS on Twitter and Facebook to let them know you've completed the routine. Let's show the other communities participating in the 9 p.m. Routine what we're serious about protecting our communities by securing our property against theft.

 

   

 

 

 

 


Oran Dan - The Inverness Oran - www.invernessoran.ca

The Inverness Oran
15767 Central Avenue. P.O. Box 100
Inverness, Nova Scotia. B0E 1N0
Tel.: 1 (902) 258-2253. Fax: 1 (902) 258-2632
Email: [email protected]