Safety Reminders When Using Heaters in Boca Raton Luxury Homes

Although it seems like winter never comes to Florida, there are those times when the temperature drop causes a few owners in Boca Raton luxury homes and elsewhere to turn their thermostats on to heat. Since it isn’t done too frequently in Florida, there are some things that home owners may take for granted or not even think twice about when using these systems that keep us warm during those extra cold days, but we should.

Silent Killer: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 200 people in the United States die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year because of problems in the way their home vent toxic gases coming from their heating systems. This is due in part because home owners in Boca Raton luxury homes will seal up their homes quite well to keep the elements they don’t want out and the ones they do want in.

The actual number of people who may be affected by carbon monoxide may actually be much higher. Other agencies report between 2,000 and 4,000 deaths, and around 10,000 cases of carbon monoxide-related injuries each year.

Symptoms of low-level, prolonged carbon monoxide poisoning are hard to detect since most of them mimic what people typically experience when they have a cold. Fatigue, headaches, dizziness and nausea can be related to home owners breathing in carbon monoxide for an extended period of time. Unfortunately for many people, a diagnosis doesn’t come until after the damage has been done.

Where the Problem Lies

The reason carbon monoxide has become an issue is because we have become more energy conscious, which is a good thing. Home owners in Boca Raton luxury homes just need to become a bit more aware of carbon monoxide.

The main causes for the rise of carbon monoxide poisoning are:

  • Air tight homes: Heating and air conditioning for Boca Raton luxury homes are not cheap. Smart home owners have taken the steps to seal their doors, windows and other places where air might be filtrated in and out of their Boca Raton luxury homes. Although this saves when it comes to the electrical bill, it can be a killer. When there is less fresh air coming in and out of a home, polluted stale air lingers.
  • High technology heating appliances: Not as much of a problem for Cape Coral homes since gas and oil furnaces are not the norm in Florida, but these are dangers for others in the country. High-efficiency gas and oil furnace may not vent well through chimney flues which can allow toxic gases to linger inside.
  • Attached garages: A running car in a garage or if a generator is used in the space can open the door to toxic fumes enter a home and causing illness or death. Since carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas it is hard to know how much has entered Boca Raton luxury homes or other residences.

 Prevention

To keep your home safe, the best recommendation by all experts is to install carbon monoxide detectors in your house. Be sure to routinely check them to make sure they are in working order. Set your calendar for every 3-6 months to do a safety check on them.

Other tips:

  • Don’t use charcoal grills, camp stoves, generators or any other charcoal or gasoline-burning devices in the house, the garage, or basement. Be careful about using them near open windows, as well.
  • Don’t run cars or trucks inside a garage if it is attached to your house. Even if you leave the garage door open, enough fumes can enter a home and poison those inside.
  • Don’t use gas ovens to heat a house.
  • Don’t burn anything in unvented stoves or fireplaces.
Florida Realty News
Florida Realty News
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty, a wholly-owned subsidiary of WCI Communities, has over 39 locations and more than 1,650 real estate sales professionals and team members serving 17 counties throughout Florida.
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