Emma Radebaugh
Your home is a complex, well-oiled machine, and every part works together to create a comfortable and safe space for your family. Caring for your house properly is the best way to ensure this. However, whether it comes from your furnace, soil, or other appliances, potentially dangerous gases can exist within your living space. Discover the most common gases found within your home and how to detect them to keep your family safe.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide comes from burning fuel within furnaces, grills, stovetops, ovens, fireplaces, or anything else with an engine. If it’s not appropriately ventilated, the gas can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which can become a real threat. It may present as flu-like symptoms that are difficult to pinpoint until they worsen.
Unfortunately, CO is undetectable to our senses; therefore, replacing your smoke detectors with combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors could help protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Radon
Radon is also odorless, tasteless, and invisible, making it nearly impossible to detect without testing. As a result, testing every two years is the best way to ensure you’re in the clear. Interestingly, radon naturally occurs within rocks and soil, and it can make its way into your home through cracks in your foundation or your home’s water.
Although it might not seem like a big deal, radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. Knowing how radon differs from other gases can help you incorporate appropriate safety measures into your home.
Natural Gas
Your furnace, water heater, and stovetop are the most common sources of potential natural gas leaks in your home. Because it’s highly flammable, a natural gas explosion is the most likely risk if you have a leak. Luckily, natural gas is much easier to detect than the first two gases on the list.
If you notice an odd smell around an appliance or hear hissing and whistling, vacate your house immediately and call 911 rather than trying to fix the issue yourself. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to your family’s safety.
Being aware of the most common gases found within your home is the first step to detecting them before they pose a threat to you and your family. With proper testing and detectors, you can keep your family safe and put your mind at ease.
