Whenever snowfall happens, there is one area of the home that might get overlooked to remove snow and ice from, which could cause a dangerous situation to happen.

Jefferson Fire Chief Jack Williams advises homeowners to check their residence for blockages around the exterior vent from a heating source.

“Just make sure that you’re going out, cleaning your exhaust pipe for your furnace or water heater if it vents out the side (of the home) to make sure that there’s no back pressure that’s putting the carbon monoxide into your basement or your house. So just make sure that the snow is cleared at least two feet away from any exhaust or intake line for your house.” 

Williams emphasizes that if a vent or exhaust pipe is plugged then that can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. He notes carbon monoxide poisoning can start with dizziness, then progress to migraines and unconsciousness, and then if left untreated, can result in death. 

Williams adds to further prevent carbon monoxide in a home to make sure there is a carbon monoxide detector in the basement or lowest level of the home and on the main floor, because the odorless and colorless gas raises up from the ground.