Columbia Gas of Virginia provides carbon monoxide safety tips

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As cooler weather moves in and heating systems kick on, Columbia Gas of Virginia is providing several carbon monoxide safety tips.

The energy company shared the following prevention tips just in time for Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month, beginning in November:

• Purchase carbon monoxide detectors and ensure existing detectors are working properly
• Make sure all fuel-burning equipment (coal, wood, natural gas, propane, pellet stoves, kerosene and fuel oil) is installed, inspected and operating properly
• Hire a professional to install fuel-burning appliances, which includes ovens, stoves and clothes dryers
• Do not cut off or restrict air sources to appliances
• Provide adequate indoor ventilation when using fireplaces or unvented space heaters
• Never burn charcoal indoors or in an enclosed space
• Clean chimneys and check for blockages
• Open garage doors before starting vehicles
• Do not heat your home with a gas oven or burn anything in a fireplace that is not vented

Carbon monoxide, as described by Columbia Gas, is an odorless, tasteless and non-corrosive gas that is created when fuels burn incompletely.

If you or someone you know is experiencing the following carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms, leave the area to get fresh air and immediately call 911:

• Human symptoms -- headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, irregular breathing, ringing in the ears, seeing spots, feeling ill or tired at home but feeling fine away from home, loss of consciousness and respiratory failure
• Household symptoms -- foul-smelling or stale air, smell of exhaust fumes, yellow or orange flame on natural gas ranges and stoves, soot around the outside of a chimney, furnace or water heater flue vent or large areas of condensation or water vapor on walls or windows

If you're a customer of Columbia Gas, call 1-800-544-5606, and do not go back until repairs are made and you have been told it is safe to reenter.

Click here for more information from Columbia Gas about how to stay safe from carbon monoxide.