It’s that time of the year again in Northeast Pennsylvania where blustery winds, expected and surprise snowfalls will be upon us. During these storm events, high winds and blowing snow can easily drift against homes, making it hard to get around, but it may also cause serious safety hazards. These accumulations and drifting snow may block vents outside of your home’s foundation, which can cause deadly gas to build up in the house. As a homeowner, it is crucial to understand where your vents are, check them frequently during snow events, and know the dangers.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas and is most often created by combustion fuels such as wood, gasoline, propane, or charcoal. Appliances and fireplaces are designed to vent CO outdoors; however, when there’s a malfunction or blockage, they will leak harmful gasses indoors, causing carbon monoxide poisoning.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, fatigue, headache, and nausea. Long-term and higher levels of exposure may produce vomiting, blurred vision, and shortness of breath before inducing loss of consciousness. When high levels build-up, and you observe symptoms, you may have only minutes to evacuate the house before serious harm. Please make sure you have CO detectors in your home and change your batteries at least twice a year. There are numerous videos and instructions online for proper installation and installation locations for CO detectors.
Make sure to also remove the snow away from all doors if you need to quickly leave your house during an emergency.
Before you put that shovel away, another crucial element to winter safety is shoveling out the snow around fire hydrants. Upon arriving at a fire scene, one of the first tasks for firefighters is to locate a water supply at the nearest hydrant, and every second counts. Deep snow, drifting snow, and passing snowplows can bury hydrants, making them challenging to locate and access. A responding fire engine carries a limited amount of water, and the tank will be empty within two to three minutes before needing water from the fire hydrant.
When removing the snow away from fire hydrants, we request that you clear out 3’ around the hydrant on all sides, down to the grass.
Consider helping the elderly, neighbors, or those with medical conditions to keep their vents and fire hydrants clear. The fire hydrant in their yard may be the one we need to protect your life and property.