Ice formations around furnace exhaust pipes can cause elevated carbon monoxide levels. (January 30, 2012) |
A carbon monoxide scare in Anchorage last week is highlighting the dangers many homeowners face at this time of year.
When Brian Ross arrived home from work last Tuesday evening, he opened the door to his Independence Park condominium and heard an alarm beeping.
It turns out it was his carbon monoxide detector, which was picking up high levels of the deadly gas.
Firefighters confirmed the presence of CO and traced it to the furnace. Ice was blocking an exhaust pipe on Ross’s balcony, and the fumes had nowhere to go but back into the condo.
“I was just plain lucky that this happened while I was out, and not when I was asleep,” wrote Ross on his Facebook page immediately following the incident.
Ross’s call was just one of several regarding CO the Anchorage Fire Department typically responds to every day during the winter.
“Department-wide, maybe a half a dozen a day,” said AFD Capt. Richard Minkler, although he noted that a good chunk of those calls are false alarms.
Subzero temperatures mean many homeowners are cranking up the heat and sealing any pathways to the outdoors in an effort to stay warm.
The lack of fresh air is often where problems begin.
Minkler says it’s important for homeowners to make sure their furnace exhaust vents are clear and that any outdoor air intake vents in garages or crawl spaces are also open, even if they’re letting in cold air.
If you suspect your furnace or stove may be leaking gas, Minkler says it’s time to call a repair center for a safety inspection.
The last line of defense is the presence of a reliable CO detector. Minkler recommends one for each floor of a house, in the hallways outside bedrooms.
Email Ted Land
