The heating season in the Lepel region is gaining momentum. Traditionally, with its start, the number of fires and carbon monoxide poisonings increases, caused by stoves or gas water heaters. How to heat your home and avoid tragedy is in our material.
The most important thing to know about carbon monoxide (also called the "invisible killer") is that it has no color or smell. The substance is formed during any type of combustion and is also contained in exhaust gases. The first sign of carbon monoxide poisoning is a headache and bouts of suffocation. If the concentration is higher, a person loses consciousness. If the concentration in the air exceeds 1.2%, a person dies in seconds.
How to prevent poisoning?
It is not difficult. It is enough not to close the stove damper prematurely until the coals have completely burned out. In this case, the stove can be heated no later than two hours before bedtime. As for gas appliances, completely exclude the use of a gas stove for heating. The flame from the burner burns out oxygen very quickly, and it becomes insufficient. It is also forbidden to use a stove or gas boiler with a faulty ventilation system.
On the eve of the cold weather, it is also worth remembering:
— In severe frosts, the stove should be heated two to three times a day for one and a half hours. This will prevent overheating.
— Carefully monitor that there are no cracks or gaps on the stove. The chimney must have good draft. Be sure to whitewash it – cracks and other damage are easily traceable on a bright background.
— The floor in front of the stove nozzle must be lined with a metal sheet of at least 50x70 centimeters. Non-combustible brick is suitable as a material.
— When lighting, under no circumstances should you use flammable or other liquids.
— Do not leave the firebox doors open and the stove unattended. Furniture and other items must be removed within a radius of one and a half meters. After heating, dispose of ash and burnt-out coals at a distance of at least 15 meters from the house.
Important! Periodically clean the smoke and ventilation ducts. Asbestos-cement, ceramic, steel, heat-resistant concrete – once a year. Clean the brick one every quarter. In winter, be sure to inspect the channel outlets for icing. For inspection, it is best to invite a representative of a specialized organization, who will issue an appropriate certificate upon completion of the work. Without such a document, the gas supply organization has the right to disconnect the gas supply.supply of gas.
It is also advisable to install a carbon monoxide concentration monitoring device. If the permissible value is exceeded, the mechanism will emit audible and visual signals. They will alert about the danger until the carbon monoxide has dissipated from the room.