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Carbon monoxide detectors have helped protect at least 28 Consumers Energy customers from the potentially deadly gas so far this year.
That means 28 of the utility’s customer service representatives earned their “wings” as a “guardian angel.” Customer service representatives earn a “guardian angel” award each time a customer who bought a carbon monoxide detector from them calls the utility to report the detector’s alarm has sounded.
The causes of the CO problems experienced by customers ranged from cracked heat exchangers in furnaces to improperly operating ranges, clothes dryers and water heaters to blocked fireplace chimneys and vents.
To help increase awareness of CO, its signs, symptoms and how to prevent it, Consumers Energy has teamed up with Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who has declared Oct. 26-Nov. 1 as Carbon Monoxide Safety and Awareness Week in Michigan.
“When furnaces and other heating appliances are in heavy use and homes remain closed up, the odds increase for carbon monoxide poisoning to occur,” said Wayne Lynn, executive manager of energy services east for the utility.
Each year more than 500 people nationwide die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning and more than 15,000 Americans are treated at hospitals for accidental exposure to CO, according to the Centers For Disease Control.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by the incomplete combustion of fuels including oil, propane, natural gas, coal, wood, kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel and charcoal. Faulty or inadequately vented appliances that use these fuels such as furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, kerosene heaters as well as gasoline-powered vehicles can produce deadly amounts of carbon monoxide.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning often mimic the flu, and include headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, stinging or burning of the eyes. Higher concentrations can result in unconsciousness, coma and death. Small children, the elderly and pets are particularly susceptible to CO.
The best defenses against carbon monoxide problems include the purchase and installation of an audible carbon monoxide alarm approved by the Underwriters Laboratory. This alarm will sound if dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are present in a home or building.
Consumers Energy sells a Nighthawk brand CO alarm that features an extended seven-year warranty as well as the CO Protection Plan, which offers free response from the utility if the alarm sounds.
Another way to protect against CO poisoning is to make sure all fuel-burning appliances are properly installed and maintained. Furnaces should be cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified service technician. Venting on furnaces, water heaters and chimneys also should be inspected periodically to be sure that animal nests or other debris don’t interfere with proper ventilation.
For more information about Consumers Energy Nighthawk brand CO alarms, call toll-free at 1-800-500-6565 or go to the Consumers Energy website at www.consumersnergy.com.
Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.5 million of the Michigan’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
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Media Contact: Debra Dodd, (586) 918-0597 or Timothy J. Pietryga, (616)530-4364.
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