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Carbon Monoxide Safety

When it comes to fireplace and chimney safety, there is more to talk about than simply chimney fires. Of course, you should always be aware of the signs of a chimney fire and of the ways to prevent this hazardous situation, but you should not forget about other dangers that could be lurking within your chimney. One of these dangers is carbon monoxide poisoning. The National Safety Council has reported that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that more than 400 people die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning every year in this country. Even more alarming, more than 20,000 Americans end up in the emergency room from breathing in this toxic gas, and 4,000 people must be further hospitalized. Known as “the silent killer,” carbon monoxide is very dangerous because you cannot taste, smell, or see this gas if it leaks into your home. Atlas Chimney would like to tell you more about carbon monoxide and how you can prevent being poisoned by this byproduct of combustion.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon Monoxide Safety - Austin TX - Atlas ChimneyThe symptoms can vary, depending on how much exposure you have had to carbon monoxide. Low to moderate levels of exposure can show symptoms of nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Since these symptoms are so much like the ones of the flu or a common cold, low-level carbon monoxide poisoning can be difficult to diagnose. If you continue to inhale carbon monoxide, your symptoms can become more severe, including mental confusion, vomiting, loss of coordination, loss of consciousness, and death. If you are suffering from the symptoms of low-level carbon monoxide poisoning for longer than two weeks, you may want to ask your doctor for a blood test to see if any carbon monoxide can be found in your system.

How can I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?

Since carbon monoxide is basically invisible, the best way to prevent this poisoning is to install carbon monoxide detector alarms throughout your home. You will want to put these alarms outside of every bedroom, in the rooms with heating appliances, and on every level of your home. Other ways of preventing carbon monoxide poisoning include having a professional chimney sweeping and inspection every year, not using portable flameless chemical heaters indoors, and having all gas appliances serviced annually.

What should I do if the carbon monoxide detector alarm sounds?

When you hear this alarm go off, do not ignore it! You should move everyone in the house outside to breathe fresh air and immediately contact your local emergency services. Be sure everyone in your household has been accounted for, and wait for the emergency responders to let you know when you can go back into your house.

Want to know more carbon monoxide safety tips? Contact Atlas Chimney at 512-CHIMNEY to find out how we can help you prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your home.

Dont Ignore Your Dryer Vents

When was the last time you had your dryer vents professionally cleaned? If you cannot remember, you may want to consider contacting us at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment for this important maintenance service. Many homeowners do not even realize that they should have their dryer vents cleaned by professionals, but this service goes a long way in preventing fires, extending the life of clothes dryers, and saving money and energy. On our staff, we have experts who are Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) Certified Dryer Exhaust Technicians. To receive this certification, they had to pass an exam that covered the proper inspection and maintenance of dryer vents, so you can trust our technicians to do this job correctly and safely. We can even re-route your dryer vent to make it safer and to be less of a fire hazard. We would like to tell you why you should never ignore your dryer vents.

PREVENT FIRES

Don't Ignore Your Dryer Vents - Austin TX - Atlas ChimneyLint is an extremely flammable substance. Camping experts like the Boy Scouts of America even recommend using lint to start campfires. When your dryer vent is clogged with lint buildup, it creates a dangerous fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration has reported that around 15,600 structure fires, 15 deaths, and 400 injuries happen every year due to clothes dryer fires. These fires were mostly the result of dirty dryer vents. When Atlas Chimney cleans your dryer vent, we remove every single piece of lint and other debris that have accumulated in your dryer vent and ensure your vent is clean. A professional dryer vent cleaning is the best way to guarantee your clothes dryer is not a fire hazard.

EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR CLOTHES DRYER

When your dryer vent is clogged with lint and other debris, it makes it difficult for your clothes dryer to work properly. Your dryer can easily overheat when the dryer vent is dirty, and this can cause the heating element of your dryer to burn out much quicker than it should. Also, when your dryer overheats, it can ignite the lint that has built up inside the vent and cause a devastating house fire. Having to use two drying cycles to completely dry one load of clothes is a sure sign your dryer vent needs cleaning.

SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY

Running your dryer for two or more cycles to fully dry a load of clothes can end up costing you extra money on your utility bills. Not to mention how much energy is wasted when you must dry clothes on at least two drying cycles. A clean dryer vent will allow your clothes dryer to work more effectively and efficiently. When you are trying to cut back on your utility bills, it is a good idea to have your dryer vent professionally cleaned.

If you cannot remember the last time your dryer vents were cleaned by professionals, it is time to have this service performed. Contact us at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment for your dryer vent cleaning to make your dryer work more efficiently and to prevent an accidental residential fire.

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