Carbon Monoxide

At Union Gas, safety is a top priority. Our personnel receive rigorous training in safety procedures. We conduct regular inspections and tests to ensure that our pipeline distribution system is working safely and efficiently. We provide 24-hour standby emergency service for all of our customers every day of the year.

If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning in your home:

• Ensure all people and pets leave the home.

• Seek medical attention immediately.

• Call your fuel supplier, or a licensed heating contractor for an inspection (there will be a charge for this inspection).

• If your carbon monoxide detector alarm sounds and there are no medical symptoms, open all doors and windows, then call a heating contractor for an inspection.

Be Alert

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of the common flu. As a result, many cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are left unreported and untreated during the flu season.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:

Carbon monoxide is an odourless gas. If it is inhaled, it depletes the amount of oxygen in your red blood cells, resulting in specific symptoms. Depending on the amount inhaled, and the length of time you have been exposed, your symptoms may include the following:

• Low Concentration - Slight headache and/or shortage of breath during moderate physical activity

• Higher Concentration - Sever headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, mental confusion, weakness, vision and hearing impairment, collapse or fainting during exertion, loss of muscle control and/or drowsiness

• Extreme Concentration - Unconsciousness, brain damage or death.

If you inhale carbon monoxide, you could experience any of these symptoms. If any member of your household is affected, or if the symptoms lessen or disappear when you leave home, you should suspect the presence of carbon monoxide and take immediate action.

Signs of Carbon Monoxide

Keep your eyes open for the following signs of carbon monoxide in your home:

• Stuffy, stale or smelly air (e.g. the smell of something over-heating or burning)

• Dripping water condensation on your windows (This is a reliable sign if you've already taken steps to reduce moisture production. It could also mean your humidifier is set too high.)

• Backdraft or soot from a fireplace, chimney or other fuel burning equipment
  A yellow burner flame, instead of the normal clear blue flame. This does not apply to natural gas fireplaces in which the yellow flame is intentional for a pleasing appearance.

• A pilot light that keeps going out, or the smell of unusual gases in your home. Even though carbon monoxide is odourless, it is sometimes accompanied by exhaust gases.

If you detect these signs, turn off the equipment and contact a licensed heating contractor.

Check Your Chimney Too!

If your chimney is plugged, you could be breathing the exhaust from your furnace, fireplace or woodstove. Stay healthy by checking your chimney in the following manner:

• Examine the exterior brickwork from top to bottom. Make sure that there are no chalky deposits, moisture stains, cracks, or loose mortar.

• Empty the clean-out pit at the base of your chimney. Check its contents for mortar, brick, bird's nests or stones. (The clean-out pit is located either inside or outside the house. Look for a metal frame with a door, or a "Y" or "T" fitting with a plug installed at the chimney connection for the furnace vent. The clean-out door and the plug should be kept closed at all times.)

• Check for chimney obstructions by positioning a mirror in the clean-out pit, and experimenting to find the angle that will allow you to see daylight clearly. (If you have an offset chimney, call a chimney specialist. If your appliances use a metal vent, the exterior portion of vent above the roof should be properly maintained. A coat of latex paint will protect it from weather and rusting.)

If you see any evidence of a deteriorating chimney, contact a qualified chimney contractor.

Your Home Needs to Breathe Too!

You probably already know that you can reduce energy consumption and save money by weatherizing your home. But, you may not be aware that there's a negative side too if you make your home airtight.

The problem is, like you, your house needs to breathe. Fireplaces, wood-stoves, kitchen and bathroom fans, attic power vents, clothes dryers, heating equipment and people all compete for air in your home. Excessive weatherizing can block the normal flow of air needed for the safe and effective operation of your heating equipment. In extreme cases, the combination of faulty equipment and airtight conditions can produce carbon monoxide and that could be dangerous.