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Kentucky Home Inspector on Flu versus Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

By
Home Inspector with B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com)

The flu and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning share many symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion and fatigue.  However,  while CO poisoning does not come with a fever, the flu does.

If you have flu symptoms, but no fever, remind your physician about the possibility of CO poisoning.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that over 200 people a year die, while thousands more are treated for CO poisoning by hospital emergency rooms and private physicians.  Other organizations place these estimates even higher.

How can you prevent becoming an annual statistic from CO poisoning?

•·              Have all gas burning appliances inspected and serviced annually by a professional technician.

•·              Have all chimneys and flues checked annually for loose connections, blockage, corrosion, etc. Also make sure you properly open the flue on any wood burning appliance or fireplace when using them.  (To avoid fire danger, make sure you have the chimney flue inspected and cleaned, each year, by a chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (www.csia.org).

•·              Make sure your heating systems have an adequate intake of outside air.

•·              Never use appliances such as a clothes dryer, range, or oven to heat your home.

•·              Don't leave cars running in garages, even with the door open.  If you must preheat your car, back it out of the garage and close the garage door.

•·              Never, never burn charcoal in a confined space.

•·              Finally, install CO detector/alarms in your home.  These detector/alarms are similar in concept to the smoke alarms that are prevalent in today's homes. 

There are two types of CO detector/alarms available: hardwired, (using household current); and battery powered.

  • Hardwired sensors usually purge themselves and resample for CO at a preset period of time.
  • Battery powered sensors usually react to prolonged exposure to CO.

Whichever kind you purchase, make sure the CO detector/alarm meets the requirements of Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) 2034.  (This can usually be determined by reading the manufacturer's label or installation instructions.)

I recommend installation of ceiling mounted detector/alarms in the following areas:

•·        One on each floor of the residence (On floors used for sleeping, the detector/alarm should be placed in the hallway near each sleeping area);

•·        One in the vicinity of  each major fuel burning appliance (not within five feet);

•·        And one in the garage.

Consult the manufacturer's installation instructions to ensure the right placement of the detector/alarm in each area.

Flu shots help protect against the flu.

A CO detector/alarm helps protect against Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Save your health -- Get both.

 

Erby Crofutt
B4U Close Home Inspections & Radon Testing
www.b4uclose.com
www.kentuckyradon.com
502-570-4054

Erby Crofutt, Central Kentucky Home Inspector (B4U Close Home Inspections & Radon Testing): Inspector in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky

 

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Erby Crofutt
KY Lic# HI-2041
B4 U Close Home Inspections & Radon Testing
Georgetown, KY
www.b4uclose.com
502-570-4054
859-797-3873
877-513-8235

 

B B 4 U Close Home Inspections serves Central, Northern & Eastern Kentucky real estate buyers & sellers

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ppointments available 7 days a week -  7 AM to 9 PM. 
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Why should you hire Erby to inspect your home?  See what past clients have to say!!

Here's what a couple of B4 U Close clients say: (Clicki the line above to see others)

I think the current owners are a little angry about the thorough inspection you did. They didn't have one done and it cost them $18K.  I, my loan officer and my agent think a home inspection is well worth what I paid.

Nathan, Morehead, KY Inspection  (20101012B)

Thank You for the outstanding job you did on the inspection.  We bought and sold 9 houses and this was the only inspection that was ever done properly.  It was helpful and we will use it to do the repairs with a system, instead of the guess work we usually do.  Thanks again

Mike & Barbara, Stamping Ground, KY Inspection (20050603

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Comments (2)

Erby Crofutt
B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY
The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY
Thanks for the compliment, Ben.  I appreciate it.
Jul 24, 2007 11:25 AM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy Erby

Congratulations on a very fine and helpful post. I liked reading it a lot.

Have a good one

Jul 31, 2007 10:12 AM