Columbia Gas is emphasizing the importance of carbon monoxide awareness as November marks Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month. The company warns about the dangers of carbon monoxide, often referred to as the "Silent Killer," which causes numerous fatalities in America each year.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas produced when fuels such as gasoline, wood, natural gas, propane, or oil do not burn completely. Although natural gas itself does not contain CO, insufficient oxygen during combustion can lead to its formation.
To help protect families from CO poisoning, Columbia Gas recommends several safety measures. First and foremost is installing carbon monoxide detectors on every level of a home and in every room where someone sleeps. These detectors should be tested regularly with their batteries replaced periodically.
Recognizing symptoms of CO poisoning is also crucial. Symptoms may resemble those of the flu and include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and irregular breathing. If these symptoms occur at home but disappear elsewhere, it could indicate a CO issue that should not be ignored due to its potential fatality within minutes at high concentrations.
Preventive actions are essential to avoid carbon monoxide build-up in homes or businesses. More information on staying safe from carbon monoxide can be found at ColumbiaGasOhio.com/co.
Columbia Gas of Ohio provides natural gas services to around 1.5 million customers statewide from its Columbus headquarters. It is part of NiSource's group of six regulated utility companies in the U.S., which aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
For more details about Columbia Gas of Ohio and NiSource's environmental goals, visit www.ColumbiaGasOhio.com and www.NiSource.com.