It's the time of year when people start using their heating system and generators, but that means you need to watch out for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless gas that can be produced by defective heaters, so it's important that you know the steps to take to stay safe.
"We came off a very horrific hurricane, we had a couple carbon monoxide poisonings because generators that were turned on in a home," explained Robert Powelson of the Public Utilities Commission.
In the recent months, many people have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning, including an incident at York County Prison where numerous inmates had to be treated after they got poisoned from the heating system.
Now that the days are getting colder and people are using their heat, the Public Utility Commission wants to make sure people are safe.
"We don't want consumers in harm's way when it comes to the winter heating season so it's absolutely critical that they take those proactive steps to make sure they have a tune-up done on their furnace,” Powelson continued. “That's a simple phone call to your local utility."
Along with making sure your utilities are working properly, it's important to have an alert system.
"Especially in older homes I think it's absolutely critical that you have a carbon monoxide detector,” Powelson advised. “For less than $10, at your local Sears hardware, your Walmart, you can go out and get that."
Common symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, headache, irregular breathing and confusion.
If you think you have the flu but get better when you leave the house, carbon monoxide could be the cause.
Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless gas that can be produced by defective heaters, so it's important that you know the steps to take to stay safe.
"We came off a very horrific hurricane, we had a couple carbon monoxide poisonings because generators that were turned on in a home," explained Robert Powelson of the Public Utilities Commission.
In the recent months, many people have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning, including an incident at York County Prison where numerous inmates had to be treated after they got poisoned from the heating system.
Now that the days are getting colder and people are using their heat, the Public Utility Commission wants to make sure people are safe.
"We don't want consumers in harm's way when it comes to the winter heating season so it's absolutely critical that they take those proactive steps to make sure they have a tune-up done on their furnace,” Powelson continued. “That's a simple phone call to your local utility."
Along with making sure your utilities are working properly, it's important to have an alert system.
"Especially in older homes I think it's absolutely critical that you have a carbon monoxide detector,” Powelson advised. “For less than $10, at your local Sears hardware, your Walmart, you can go out and get that."
Common symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, headache, irregular breathing and confusion.
If you think you have the flu but get better when you leave the house, carbon monoxide could be the cause.