When appliances and vents work

properly and an adequate supply of carbon monoxide alarms are installed

throughout the house, residents can help protect themselves and their

families from this silent killer.

Carbon monoxide can build up

wherever flammable fuel is burned. Potential culprits of carbon monoxide

in the home include:

- Gas stove and range

top. Because these appliances are often unvented, they can be common sources

of CO in the home. To help prevent CO from seeping, regular cleaning of

the range top, oven cavity and burners is recommended. Keeping these appliances

maintained and in working condition can also help reduce the chance of

CO poisoning.

- Gas furnace and water

heater. Improper installation or damage from basement flooding can cause

both these appliances to produce harmful levels of CO. A clogged or dirty

burner can also negatively affect the air/fuel mixture. Soot buildup and

a pilot light mostly yellow in color could be indicators that the fuel

is burning incompletely. A qualified technician (usually employed by a

local oil or gas company) can inspect the furnace and water heater to

ensure the air and fuel mixture is adjusted correctly and to make sure

the burner components are cleaned.

- Gas clothes dryer. A

faulty or improperly installed dryer can be a CO hazard. Exhaust pipes

clogged with lint can also cause CO to build up. Again, regular inspection

and maintenance are good preventive measures, as is cleaning the lint

filter after each use.

While checking the common household

appliances, the chimney and wood-burning stove should also be inspected.

If a bird's nest, leaves or soot are blocked in the chimney, CO can

vent back into the home. Periodic inspection and cleaning by a chimney

sweep company is recommended, and a screened cap placed over the top of

a chimney can discourage nest building.

Before starting a fire, be

sure the flue is open and not clogged, and keep the flue open until the

fire is completely out to allow the gases to safely escape through the

chimney.

For more than 25 years, BRK

Brands, Inc. has been the manufacturer of First Alert-branded home-safety

products including smoke and fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire

extinguishers, escape ladders, and security products. First Alert-branded

products are found in 85 percent of U.S. households and in more than 30

countries worldwide. BRK Brands, Inc. is headquartered in Aurora, Ill.

For more information, visit www.firstalert.com.

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