CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – As we head into November when the nights become cold and the days chilly, utility companies want you to check your furnace, appliances, and fireplaces to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Stephanie Benson with Columbia Natural Gas says November is “Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month”, C-O overload can happen if appliances or anything that burns something is not property working or vented. She says it doesn’t matter what the appliance burns whether it’s natural gas, kerosene, oil, wood, or charcoal. She says it’s important to have a professional install such appliances, and have one come out and inspect them every year before you fire them up.

Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, but there is evidence it’s too much if there’s foul-smelling or stale air; you smell exhaust fumes; you observe a yellow or orange flame on natural gas stoves; or you find soot around the outside of a chimney, furnace, or water heater flue vent.
If you think carbon monoxide is present or your CO detector sounds, leave the area to get fresh air, immediately call 911 and Columbia Gas at 1-800-544-5606, and DO NOT GO BACK until repairs are made and it is safe to reenter.
Click here for complete information on how to stay safe from CO.