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Can You Send Us Some Heat?

By Shawn Davis

Real Estate Agent with Home Crossings, P.C.

February 03, 2009 09:03 AM

After overhearing a store clerk talking about her husband's recent visit to the hospital to treat carbon monoxide poisoning, and with the current temperatures being only 19 degrees, adding in the wind chill factor, it is a whooping 4 degrees here today in Genesee County...Those living in the south rarely see these blizzard like temperatures, and few know how bad times are here for some folks in Genesee County, Michigan. The fact that many are trying to conserve energy....which could be at the expense of thier life or the life of a loved one, I thought this post was long overdue.

Four simple tips that could save your life:

Never use a charcoal grill to heat your home.

Never use a gasoline powered generator indoors.

Never use your portable kerosene heaters indoors.

Never use the oven or the top stove burners to heat your home.

Basically, any heating system that burns fuel, and does not have a chimney, will give off dangerous gases that could be deadly or make you or your loved ones very ill.

If you have fallen behind on your heating bills or simply need help with short-term emergency expenses... Visit this website: http://www.modestneeds.org/ to apply today. Or, if you would like to donate, please visit the Modest Needs Website...it is an awesome contribution, that could save someone from falling into poverty.

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Mirela Monte

Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Shawn: Thank you for this post! I had no idea. We're so spoiled here in Myrtle Beach. We complain that it's too cold when it's 45 degrees... I have a carbon monoxide alarm in my home, just in case. Carbon monoxide is lethal and you can't detect it otherwise.

Feb 03, 2009 09:50 AM

Shawn Davis

Home Crossings, P.C. - Davison, MI

Homes For Sale, Genesee County, Michigan

That is a good idea Myrtle...however some folks have been trying desperatly to balance their budget, loss of jobs, pay cuts, ext..and they feel like they can save on heat by using other sources. I just wanted to give them other options, there are people who care, and there is help. Here in Michigan....they only help if you have fallen into poverty. Modest Needs helps those hard working people who have fallen into temporary hardships. Thanks for you concern and comment, Mirela...Shawn

Feb 03, 2009 10:03 AM

Shirley Parks

Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX

Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Hi Shawn, We have a carbon monoxide detector in our home. These are important tips for anyone having to use a generator, etc., to keep warm. How is real estate activity in this kind of weather?

Feb 03, 2009 10:31 AM

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

Shawn-I know exactly what that weather is like. I lived in it for all but the last 3 yrs. Our temps in the winter got down to -20 many days thruout the winter. I'm a little confused about why you wouldn't use kerosene heaters though. That is why they make them. When I had my house in NY.

That is the only heat I had for 2 winters. I didn't run it at night but I did during the day. I also had a carbon monoxide detector and fortunately never had a problem but I do know that carbon monoxide is dangerous because you can't smell it. Lots of people heat with them in the winter. The other things is just common sense although I know people who have used generators in their basements with obvious tragic results. I also know about the affordability factor and people needing to do what they need to stay warm, but they have to use their head,

Never use your portable kerosene heaters indoors.(Just have to use caution)

Feb 03, 2009 10:50 AM

Real Estate does and always has seemed to fluxuate with the weather in this area, Shirley! Many school teachers have made it their summertime job...which makes good sense for a person who has the entire summer off and wants to work real estate in the busiest season.

Feb 03, 2009 10:51 AM

I know people have used portable keorsene heaters, and in this paticular circumstance the woman apparently had hers running non stop for three weeks...the carbon monoxide poisoning did not kill her husband, however it made him severely ill....best to use conventional heating methods or apply for help at the Modest Needs Website...and I will agree with all who commented, a Carbon Monoxide Detector is a must...I also have one, but heat my home with conventional methods. Thanks for your concern and comment, Shirley.

Feb 03, 2009 11:03 AM

Jon Wnoroski

America's 1st Choice RH Realty Co., Inc. - Green, OH

Summit County Realtor

Hi Shawn - Those are good tips for people to remember. Every year we hear of tragedies that take place because people have resorted to using unsafe heating methods. Local assistance programs do exist for those in need. Thank you for your post.

Feb 03, 2009 11:13 PM

Hi Jon: That is precisely what I am talking about...people are resorting to using unconventional heating methods because of hardships; And I can't stress it enough:

"Any heating system that burns fuel, and does not have a chimney, will give off dangerous gases that could be deadly or make you or your loved ones very ill."

Thank you for your concern and comment...Shawn

Feb 03, 2009 11:36 PM

Mike Saunders

Retired - Athens, GA

Shawn - I have used the oven to stay warm before. All good tips, but, if anyone sends you some heat can you ship some here? We are down in the teen's and twenties and it just ain't natural in Georgia.

Feb 04, 2009 12:03 AM

lolol...Mike...sure enough, I won't even ask you to sign a reciprocal agreement. Shawn

Feb 04, 2009 03:05 AM

Fran Gaspari

Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA

"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Shawn,

Nice video! Good tips for safety!!! Thanks, Fran

Feb 04, 2009 09:34 AM

Fran: Yes, thank-you...these are very hard times for those who are going through hardships...the thought of people resorting to unconventional heating methods, just breaks my heart, I don't have statictics...yet, I'll bet there are many households who might take desperate measures to save a few bucks.

Feb 04, 2009 10:27 AM

Hi Russel...Thank-You for reminding us about the carbon monoxide detectors...Still I cannot stress it enough: "Any heating system that burns fuel, and does not have a chimney, will give off dangerous gases that could be deadly or make you or your loved ones very ill."

Feb 04, 2009 11:01 PM

April Hayden-Munson

Brookfield, WI

Brookfield Wisconsin Real Estate

Hi Shawn - I bet you are tired of this winter, I know we are in WIsconsin. The weather folks said it would be warm today, HUH! IF you call windy and 20 warm. I don't... it's still too cold. Hopefully 40's by the weekend though.

Feb 05, 2009 07:38 AM

Windy and 20 is warmer that zero and breezy, which is what we woke up to here this morning..lol...looking forward to March...and hoping that it comes in like a lion.

Feb 05, 2009 07:50 AM

Can You Send Us Some Heat?

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Shawn Davis

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