(Juneau) Officials with the Dodge County Public Health Department report a recent uptick in carbon monoxide calls. They are reminding the public to keep their finance exhaust pipes clear of snow.
When the pipes become covered, carbon monoxide can build up in the home. Dodge County Emergency Management Director Joe Meagher recommends citizens have a professional check any product utilized to heat their home.
“Make sure that whatever you’re using in your home has been looked at by a certified heating and cooling person for instance or certified electrician,” says Meagher. “To make sure all of the processes are working on that unit…to make sure that there isn’t some kind of carbon monoxide that is getting into your house and could cause some health concerns as a result of that. Especially in the houses that are nice and sealed up…it’s always a significant concern.”
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. Although it has no detectable odor, it is often mixed with other gases that do have an odor. Health officials note that you can inhale carbon monoxide right along with gases that you can smell and not even know that carbon monoxide is present. They encourage making sure you have working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home.
