Heating Your Home Safely

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Extremely cold temperatures can make home heating difficult and some residents may take risky measures just to keep warm.

Columbia Gas of Ohio Communications Manager Erica Chronaberry discussed safety concerns that natural gas customers face as well as some precautions that they can take to avoid danger.

“Everyone of us can do some simple things around our homes to stay safe inside the home and outside of the home,” Chronaberry said. “So you know if you want to stay a little extra cozy and you’re planning on using space heaters, make sure they’re placed on a hard surface and away from flammable objects. Ensure your appliances and heating equipment are running properly. Make sure you are not using your oven as a heat source.”

Chronaberry added that you shouldn’t burn charcoal or run a generator indoors as the fumes could create deadly carbon monoxide levels. 

Moreover, clearing your furnace’s intake and exhaust ports along with cleaning fireplace chimneys will also help toward ventilating your home of those dangerous fumes.  

A natural gas leak will have a rotten egg smell but carbon monoxide buildups can be very hard to detect.  

“Carbon monoxide is tricky because it’s tasteless, it’s odorless,” Chronaberry said. “You know it’s hard to tell if you have carbon monoxide buildup in your home. Carbon monoxide poisoning can really come across as… you know, the flu. It has flu-like symptoms. You know, headaches, nausea, vomiting, even irregular breathing.”

If you happen to smell natural gas inside your house or are experiencing illness that may be related to a carbon monoxide buildup, you should leave the house immediately and call 9-1-1.