Every year there are dozens of reports from homes around the area of families sickened or worse by carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that can be produced by malfunctioning heating equipment, including gas or oil furnaces, as well as things like gas water heaters, gas stoves, and gas dryers. Carbon monoxide is extremely toxic, with symptoms such as headache, nausea, chest tightness, and fatigue. Prolonged exposure can lead to worsening headaches and dizziness, respiratory failure and, eventually, death.
If any of your fuel burning appliances are starting to show signs of age, it’s a good idea to have them tested for carbon monoxide production. Other signs that you may have a carbon monoxide problem include:
Since carbon monoxide is undetectable by the senses, the only way you’ll know you have a problem is if you start feeling the symptoms—and recognize them in time. At James A. Wheat & Sons, we recommend regular testing of all your gas burning appliances to make sure any CO they produce is vented safely.
It doesn’t take much CO to do damage either—carbon monoxide levels above 70ppm (parts per million) are considered extremely dangerous, but the gas can be dangerous even at low concentrations (carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms can occur in concentrations as low as 9ppm). Unfortunately, many store-bought CO monitors will not go off until levels approach 70 or higher, meaning you could be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning without even knowing it. James A. Wheat & Sons installs low level carbon monoxide alarms that will alert you much sooner than many store-bought CO monitors.
If you need carbon monoxide testing in Maryland or Washington, DC, call James A. Wheat & Sons. We can install a low-level carbon monoxide detector in your home and test your appliances for carbon monoxide to make sure you and your family are always safe.