A Guide to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms
Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Snowblower Safety
Since making its debut in 1925, the snowblower has made life easier for anyone who lives in a part of the world where there is plenty of snow. Instead of shoveling the white stuff by hand for hours and hours on end, you can use a snowblower which will drastically reduce the time required to clean the snow from your driveway or sidewalk. It is much more efficient than a snow shovel, but as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. A snowblower is a mighty machine that needs to be treated with a great deal of respect when being operated. You do not want to harm yourself or others while using it – be aware of snowblower safety guidelines.
Read the Snowblower Manual
It
is important to learn how to operate the snowblower
properly before using it for the first time.
Reading the manufacturer’s manual that
comes with the snowblower will not only help
you understand how it works and provide you
with the essential operating instructions, but
it will also inform you of the various potential
dangers associated with the machine.
Turn off the engine before cleaning
or unclogging snow
The most common injury results from
trying to clear snow from parts of the snowblower
. You should turn off the engine even to clear
the discharge chute or any other part of the
snowblower. Even with the engine off, never
put your fingers in a snowblower. In terms of
more serious injury, there are some cases of
people being killed because they became caught
in the machine, but more deaths occur due to
carbon monoxide poisoning related to leaving
the snowblower running in an enclosed area.
Snowblowers and Carbon Monoxide
Snowblowers that run on fuels, such as gasoline and oil, emit
carbon monoxide (CO), a potentially deadly gas. Carbon monoxide is an
odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that cannot be detected when it
is lingering in the atmosphere. When you inhale the carbon monoxide, it
gets into your blood stream and restricts the red blood cells from transporting
oxygen to the brain, heart, and other vital organs. This dangerous gas
can actually kill a person who is exposed to it for even a short period
of time.
Snowblowers emit an astonishingly large amount of carbon monoxide. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a typical two-cycle snowblower can release nearly a pound of carbon monoxide for every hour it runs. To match that amount of carbon monoxide, a car would have to be driven for about 70 miles, according to Mother Earth News. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning when operating your snowblower.
How to Avoid CO Poisoning
If you own a fuel-powered snowblower, the most important thing
to remember is to start the machine in a well-ventilated area in order
to prevent CO poisoning. Starting it in a closed-up space such as your
shed or garage is a bad idea! The carbon monoxide will remain in the closed-in
proximity since it has nowhere else to go. Snowblowers must be started
outside or in a well-ventilated area; so open the garage or shed door
wide before starting the machine.
Snowblower safety includes not leaving the snowblower unattended after it has been turned on - even in a well-ventilated area. Remember to shut it off when it is not in use because it continues to release a significant amount of carbon monoxide as it idles in the same place for an extended period of time.
To avoid the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, it is recommended that you purchase and install a carbon monoxide alarm. When carbon monoxide reaches a certain level in the air, the alarm will go off, enabling you to leave the premises immediately. Remember to test the alarm and replace the batteries on a regular basis.
Symptoms of CO Poisoning and What to Do
If while starting the snowblower you begin to feel sick, dizzy,
or weak, you should leave the area at once and get some fresh air. These
are the initial signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Call your local medical
emergency number for aid. You may want to hire a carbon monoxide professional
to eliminate any leftover traces of the fatal gas. Carbon monoxide poisoning
is an important factor in the operation of snowblowers, and respecting
snowblower safety guidelines regarding CO poisoning will ensure that no
harm comes to you or your family.
About the Author: Lily Armstrong is a freelance writer and is the head researcher and content manager for http://www.carbon-monoxide-poisoning.com/.