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Check your exhaust vents for ice and snow: Fire chief

Jan 17, 2019 | 11:00 AM

A heads-up from Melfort Fire and Rescue during this cold snap.

Fire chief Jason Everitt told northeastNOW it’s vital to monitor your furnace and water heater exhaust vents.

“When the weather gets colder what we tend to see is ice and snow forming on either furnace exhaust,” he said. “We want to make sure is that people keep an eye on those and if they see some ice building up around them just make sure that ice is removed or if snow is building up around them, we just want to make sure that those are clear.”

Everitt said a plugged exhaust could lead to carbon monoxide being pushed back into the home.

The colourless, odourless, tasteless gas is fatal in high doses.

A plugged exhaust could also cause a furnace to shut down, which is also a major problem considering the cold weather.

Everett said another step can be taken to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

“The biggest preventative measures are obviously maintaining your equipment such as these vents that we’re talking about, and ensuring houses have carbon monoxide detectors installed,” Everitt said. “You can buy those at most hardware stores and they can be incorporated along with smoke alarms that are mounted properly in your home, or independent and plug into an electrical outlet.”

 

cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974