Taking into account the arrival of the first intense cold, it is important use artifacts correctly that provide heat artificially, as well as any gas device in the home.
Indeed, a series of recommendations must be taken into account when installing and maintaining these devices.
As Ecogas maintains on its website, the accidents that usually occur with the arrival of cold weather are mainly caused by carbon monoxide, which is a harmful substance that is produced by poor combustion in appliances that run on kerosene, coal, gas or firewood. And, in turn, poor combustion is caused by incorrect installation of the appliances, lack of maintenance or insufficient ventilation.
This toxic substance enters the body through breathing. May cause headache, nausea, vomiting, fainting, and including death. It is very dangerous, since it is not detectable through the senses: it has no smell, taste or color.
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Below are the recommendations of the Administration of Gas Distributors (ADIGAS) to use gas safely and responsibly and prevent accidents by carbon monoxide.
1) Check and verify that the burner flame of the appliances is blue:
• If it is yellow it means that it is producing carbon monoxide (pay special attention to the heater). In this case, turn off the appliance and have the burner checked by a licensed gas fitter. It should be blue and have transparent ends.
2) Heat properly:
• Do not use heating devices to dry clothes.
• Never use the stove and/or oven to heat the room.
• Check the correct closure of the hot water taps, especially at night, to avoid continuous operation of heaters.
• Use devices approved by the National Gas Regulatory Entity (ENARGAS).
3) Periodically maintain gas appliances:
• Check the proper functioning of the tubes so that they are not clogged, strangled, cracked, disconnected or dented.
• Do not make combinations or connections of ventilation ducts from two different appliances, each ventilation duct must be individual.
• Check the internal gas installations of the home by a licensed gas fitter. Pay attention to the appearance of stains, sooting or discoloration on or around the artifacts. This can be a warning of incomplete combustion and the generation of carbon monoxide.
4) Ventilate the environments where the artifacts are located:
• Keep the oxygen renewal grids in the rooms and the ducts for the free evacuation of combustion gases clean.
5) Pay attention to symptoms of weakness and fatigue.
• Carbon monoxide cannot be seen with the naked eye, it cannot be smelled or heard, so we must be alert to the appearance of symptoms such as tendency to sleep, headache, vomiting and fatigue.
• If a person is under the effects of carbon monoxide, they should be quickly removed from the area to breathe fresh air and should be treated by a doctor.
Report by Juan Esteves.
