Prevent Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning Cautions ATCO Gas

With winter upon us, ATCO Gas is advising Albertans to take some simple steps to prevent the build-up of lethal carbon monoxide in their homes. You can't see or smell carbon monoxide and the symptoms of exposure are often flu-like, so prevention and detection are critical.
Albertans spend a great deal of time in enclosed spaces - homes, offices and vehicles - during the winter. Here are some easy actions that you can take to ensure that you are protected from CO:
Never warm a vehicle in a garage, even with the door open. Move the vehicle away from the garage and homes.
Have all fuel burning appliances checked by a qualified technician annually to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Never block indoor air vents. Keep snow and ice away from outdoor vents.
When using a wood burning fireplace, open a window nearby about an inch to provide a fresh air supply.
An approved CO detector should be located on every floor of your home. Change the batteries regularly and replace the detector by the expiry date.
Quick Facts:
ATCO Gas received 4147 CO-related calls since November 2010 – an increase in 17 per cent from the year before.
Severe headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, mental confusion, weakness, vision and hearing impairment are some symptoms of CO poisoning.
Cerebral edema (swelling of the brain) is a common result of severe carbon monoxide poisoning. This life threatening condition destroys brain cells by compressing them into themselves within the cranial compartment.
To learn more about how to prevent CO in your home, visit atcogas.com.