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Carbon monoxide is a dangerous and deadly gas.
It's produced by burning fuels, like natural gas
propane and kerosene.
Trouble is CO - as it's often called - has no smell, taste or colour.
So... if it accumulates in your home, it can spell disaster. One of the easiest ways to
minimize the risk
of CO poisoning in your home
is to do is a simple chimney check once a month. You need to do this during daylight hours.
First,
look at your chimney from outside the house. Check to make sure it's clear of any snow,
ice build-up or debris.
Next,
check your chimney flue - or the inside of the chimney.
This is done from the inside your home - using a small hand-held mirror.
Start by opening the chimney access panel
- and then hold the mirror inside. Hold the mirror at an angle,
and look up the chimney.
What you should see is daylight,
indicating that the chimney is clear of build-up, debris and any damage.
If you suspect your chimney may be blocked by snow or ice from the outside, or if you cannot
see daylight from the inside - don't wait.
Contact a licensed gas contractor immediately.
You can find one by looking under "Heating Contractors" in your phone book.
SaskPower recommends performing this simple chimney check once a month.
If you're unsure, ask a licensed gas contractor to show you how to inspect your chimney
the first time - and get them to come back once a year for a thorough inspection.
Another smart move is to install carbon monoxide detectors near where you and others in your
home sleep.
Only buy CO detectors that have the seal of a recognized testing agency
such as the Canadian Standards Association for the Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada.
These are simple but effective ways to keep your home and family safe from the threat
of CO poisoning year round.
A safety message from SaskPower Gas Inspections.