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Community Corner

Cold? Don't Forget to Inspect Your Furnace

The Southern California Gas Co. reminds residents to have furnaces inspected before flipping the switch.

With the onset of cold weather, the Southern California Gas Co. today urged residents to make sure their furnaces are in working order to prevent cases of carbon monoxide poisoning.

"While carbon monoxide poisoning incidents are rare, we usually see a rise in the number of occurrences when the weather gets really cold," said Bret Lane, vice president of field services for SoCalGas.

"Often, the cause of carbon monoxide in a home is due to a faulty furnace, so we're urging customers to be safe and have their furnaces inspected if they have not yet done so." he said.

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The utility cautioned residents against using ovens, ranges or outdoor barbecues for home heating. Such appliances are not designed for such use and pose a potentially fatal risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless and is emitted due to the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels, such as kerosene, gasoline, propane, charcoal or wood.

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Symptoms of the early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, nausea, vomiting and shortness of breath. Prolonged exposure to the gas can lead to death.

Signs that may indicate the presence of carbon monoxide include:

  • a large, yellow, unsteady gas appliance burner flame;
  • an unusual pungent odor when the appliance is operating, caused by other byproducts of incomplete combustion; and
  • unexplained nausea, drowsiness and flu-like symptoms.

If the presence of carbon monoxide is suspected, turn off the involved gas appliance, evacuate the premises and call 911.

SoCalGas offers furnace safety checks at no cost to customers. An appointment for a furnace inspection can be made online at http://www.socalgas.com/service, or by calling the toll-free number (800) 427- 2200, or (800) 342-4545 for Spanish-speaking customers.     

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